CVE-2025-32826: Siemens Telecontrol Server Basic SQLi

CVE-2025-32826 Overview

CVE-2025-32826 is a SQL injection vulnerability in Siemens TeleControl Server Basic affecting all versions prior to V3.1.2.2. The flaw resides in the internally used GetActiveProjects method. An authenticated remote attacker with access to TCP port 8000 can bypass authorization controls, read and write to the application database, and execute code under the NT AUTHORITY\NetworkService account. The weakness is classified as [CWE-89] Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command.

Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can achieve code execution on industrial telecontrol servers, compromising the integrity and availability of supervisory control systems.

Affected Products

Siemens TeleControl Server Basic — all versions prior to V3.1.2.2
Deployments exposing TCP port 8000 to untrusted networks
Industrial control system (ICS) environments using TeleControl Server Basic for remote station management

Discovery Timeline

2025-04-16 - CVE-2025-32826 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2025-04-16 - Siemens publishes Security Advisory SSA-443402
2025-08-19 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-32826

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of user-supplied input within the GetActiveProjects method. Siemens TeleControl Server Basic accepts requests on TCP port 8000 and passes attacker-controlled parameters into a SQL query without parameterization or sufficient input validation. An authenticated attacker can inject SQL syntax that the backend database engine then executes.

The injected statements run with the privileges of the application service account, which on Windows installations is NT AUTHORITY\NetworkService. This allows attackers to move beyond data manipulation and execute operating system commands through database features such as xp_cmdshell or stored procedure abuse. The result is full compromise of the telecontrol server and the project data it manages.

Because the vulnerable method is described as internal, normal authorization checks are bypassed once an attacker can reach the endpoint with valid low-privilege credentials. The exploitation requirements are network reachability to port 8000 and any authenticated session.

Root Cause

The root cause is the construction of SQL queries through string concatenation or interpolation of untrusted parameters in the GetActiveProjects handler. The code path does not enforce prepared statements or parameter binding, allowing attacker-supplied content to alter query semantics.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based against TCP port 8000 on the affected server. The attacker authenticates with low-privilege credentials, then submits a crafted request that triggers the GetActiveProjects method with malicious SQL payloads. Successful injection enables data theft, database modification, and command execution on the host through database engine features.

No verified public proof-of-concept code is available. Refer to the Siemens Security Advisory SSA-443402 for vendor technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-32826

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected outbound connections or process spawns from the TeleControl Server Basic service account NT AUTHORITY\NetworkService
Database audit log entries showing unusual queries referencing GetActiveProjects or containing SQL meta-characters such as ';--, UNION SELECT, or xp_cmdshell
New or modified rows in TeleControl project tables that do not correspond to operator activity
Authentication events from low-privilege accounts followed immediately by anomalous database activity

Detection Strategies

Inspect application and SQL Server logs for malformed parameters submitted to TeleControl Server Basic endpoints on port 8000
Enable SQL Server auditing for stored procedure execution, particularly xp_cmdshell and sp_OACreate, on databases used by TeleControl Server Basic
Correlate process creation events where the parent process is the TeleControl service and the child process is cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or scripting hosts
Hunt for command-line activity executed under the NetworkService security context on industrial server hosts

Monitoring Recommendations

Restrict and monitor inbound traffic to TCP port 8000 using network segmentation between IT and OT zones
Forward Windows Security, Sysmon, and SQL audit logs to a centralized analytics platform for correlation
Alert on authentication anomalies, such as logins from unusual source IP addresses to the TeleControl application
Baseline normal GetActiveProjects request patterns and alert on deviations in payload length or character composition

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-32826

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade Siemens TeleControl Server Basic to version V3.1.2.2 or later as the authoritative remediation
Restrict access to TCP port 8000 to trusted engineering workstations using host-based and network firewalls
Rotate credentials for all accounts that authenticate to TeleControl Server Basic following the upgrade
Audit the underlying database for unauthorized modifications, new accounts, or extended stored procedure changes

Patch Information

Siemens has released TeleControl Server Basic V3.1.2.2 to address CVE-2025-32826. Operators should obtain the update through standard Siemens support channels and follow guidance in Siemens Security Advisory SSA-443402. The advisory contains version-specific upgrade instructions and additional protective measures.

Workarounds

Place the TeleControl Server Basic host behind a properly configured firewall that only permits port 8000 traffic from authorized engineering systems
Apply the defense-in-depth recommendations from the Siemens operational guidelines for industrial security
Disable or remove unused database features such as xp_cmdshell to limit the post-injection blast radius
Enforce strong, unique passwords for all TeleControl Server Basic accounts and remove unused users

bash

# Example: restrict inbound access to TeleControl Server Basic port 8000
# Windows firewall rule allowing only a specific engineering subnet
netsh advfirewall firewall add rule ^
  name="TeleControl-8000-Restricted" ^
  dir=in action=allow ^
  protocol=TCP localport=8000 ^
  remoteip=10.10.20.0/24