Siemens SIMATIC S7-1500 Use After Free (CVE-2021-20227)

#%NASL_MIN_LEVEL 80900
##
# (C) Tenable, Inc.
##

include('compat.inc');

if (description)
{
  script_id(504118);
  script_version("1.3");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_modification_date", value:"2026/02/14");

  script_cve_id("CVE-2021-20227");
  script_xref(name:"ICSA", value:"23-348-10");
  script_xref(name:"CEA-ID", value:"CEA-2021-0025");

  script_name(english:"Siemens SIMATIC S7-1500 Use After Free (CVE-2021-20227)");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"synopsis", value:
"The remote OT asset is affected by a vulnerability.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"description", value:
"A flaw was found in SQLite's SELECT query functionality
(src/select.c). This flaw allows an attacker who is capable of running
SQL queries locally on the SQLite database to cause a denial of
service or possible code execution by triggering a use-after-free. The
highest threat from this vulnerability is to system availability.

This plugin only works with Tenable.ot.
Please visit https://www.tenable.com/products/tenable-ot for more information.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-398330.html");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/ww/en/view/109478459/");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-advisories/icsa-23-348-10");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:
"The following text was originally created by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). The original
can be found at CISA.gov.

Siemens has identified the following specific workarounds and mitigations users can apply to reduce risk:

- SIMATIC S7-1500 CPU 1518-4 PN/DP MFP (6ES7518-4AX00-1AB0): Only build and run applications from trusted sources.
Currently no fix is available.
- SIMATIC S7-1500 CPU 1518-4 PN/DP MFP (6ES7518-4AX00-1AC0): Only build and run applications from trusted sources.
Currently no fix is available.
- SIMATIC S7-1500 CPU 1518F-4 PN/DP MFP (6ES7518-4FX00-1AB0): Only build and run applications from trusted sources.
Currently no fix is available.
- SIMATIC S7-1500 CPU 1518F-4 PN/DP MFP (6ES7518-4FX00-1AC0): Only build and run applications from trusted sources.
Currently no fix is available.
- SIPLUS S7-1500 CPU 1518-4 PN/DP MFP (6AG1518-4AX00-4AC0): Only build and run applications from trusted sources.
Currently no fix is available.

Note: This SSA advises vulnerabilities for firmware version V3.1 only; for versions prior to V3.1 refer to
SiemensSecurity Bulletin SSB-439005.

As a general security measure, Siemens recommends protecting network access to devices with appropriate mechanisms. To
operate the devices in a protected IT environment, Siemens recommends configuring the environment according to Siemens'
operational guidelines for industrial security and following recommendations in the product manuals.

Additional information on industrial security by Siemens can be found on the Siemens industrial security webpage.

For more information see the associated Siemens security advisory SSA-398330 in HTML and CSAF.");
  script_set_cvss3_base_vector("CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cvss_score_source", value:"CVE-2021-20227");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"No known exploits are available");
  script_cwe_id(416);

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2023/12/12");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2023/12/12");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2025/11/13");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"remote");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:siemens:simatic_s7-1500_cpu_firmware:3.1.5");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:siemens:siplus_s7-1500_cpu_firmware:3.1.5");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"generated_plugin", value:"former");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_family(english:"Tenable.ot");

  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2025-2026 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");

  script_dependencies("tenable_ot_api_integration.nasl");
  script_require_keys("Tenable.ot/Siemens");

  exit(0);
}


include('tenable_ot_cve_funcs.inc');

get_kb_item_or_exit('Tenable.ot/Siemens');

var asset = tenable_ot::assets::get(vendor:'Siemens');

var vuln_cpes = {
    "cpe:/o:siemens:simatic_s7-1500_cpu_firmware:3.1.5" :
        {"versionEndExcluding" : "3.1.5", "versionStartIncluding" : "3.1.0", "family" : "S71500", "orderNumbers" : ['6ES7518-4AX00-1AB0', '6ES7518-4FX00-1AC0', '6ES7518-4AX00-1AC0', '6ES7518-4FX00-1AB0']},
    "cpe:/o:siemens:siplus_s7-1500_cpu_firmware:3.1.5" :
        {"versionEndExcluding" : "3.1.5", "versionStartIncluding" : "3.1.0", "family" : "S71500", "orderNumbers" : ['6AG1518-4AX00-4AC0']}
};

tenable_ot::cve::compare_and_report(asset:asset, cpes:vuln_cpes, severity:SECURITY_WARNING);