---
title: "Siemens Energy Services Vulnerability Exposes Systems to Admin Password Reset"
short_title: "Siemens Energy flaw allows admin password reset"
description: "CISA warns of a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in Siemens Energy Services (CVE-2025-59392). Learn how to mitigate risks and protect affected systems."
author: "Vitus"
date: 2025-01-24
categories: [Cybersecurity, Vulnerabilities]
tags: [siemens, cve-2025-59392, authentication-bypass, ics-security, energy-sector]
score: 0.75
cve_ids: [CVE-2025-59392]
---
TL;DR
A critical vulnerability in Siemens Energy Services (CVE-2025-59392) allows attackers with physical access to reset the Admin password by exploiting an authentication bypass flaw. Siemens has released patches and mitigation steps to address the risk, which primarily impacts energy sector infrastructure worldwide.
---
Main Content
Introduction
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has highlighted a severe security flaw in Siemens Energy Services that could allow unauthorized users to reset the Admin password on affected devices. This vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-59392, poses a significant risk to critical infrastructure, particularly in the energy sector. Siemens has urged organizations to apply patches and follow recommended security practices to mitigate potential exploits.
---
Key Points
- Vulnerability: Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel (CWE-288).
- Affected Products: Siemens Energy Services with G5DFR versions prior to 1.2.3.13.
- CVSS Scores:
- CVSS v3.1: 6.8 (Medium)
- CVSS v4.0: 7.0 (High)
- Attack Complexity: Low (requires physical access to the device).
- Impact: Attackers can reset the Admin password, gaining unauthorized control over affected systems.
- Mitigation: Update to G5DFR V1.2.3.13 or later and follow Siemens' industrial security guidelines.
---
Technical Details
#### Affected Systems
Siemens has confirmed that the vulnerability impacts:
- Siemens Energy Services: All versions with G5DFR firmware prior to 1.2.3.13.
#### Vulnerability Overview
The flaw, identified as CVE-2025-59392, is classified as an Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel (CWE-288). An attacker with physical access to an affected device can exploit this vulnerability by inserting a USB drive containing a publicly documented reset string into a USB port. This action resets the Admin password, granting unauthorized access to the device.
#### CVSS Analysis
- CVSS v3.1 Base Score: 6.8 (AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H)
- Physical Access Required: The attack vector is limited to physical access, reducing the likelihood of remote exploitation.
- High Impact: Successful exploitation results in complete control over the affected device.
- CVSS v4.0 Base Score: 7.0 (AV:P/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N)
- The updated scoring reflects the high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact of the vulnerability.
---
Impact Assessment
#### Sectors at Risk
This vulnerability primarily affects the energy sector, a critical infrastructure industry. Compromised systems could lead to:
- Unauthorized access to sensitive operational data.
- Disruption of energy services, potentially causing outages or safety hazards.
- Compliance violations for organizations failing to secure critical systems.
#### Geographic Scope
The affected products are deployed worldwide, increasing the potential for widespread impact if left unpatched.
---
Mitigation Steps
Siemens and CISA have recommended the following actions to mitigate the risk:
#### Siemens' Recommendations
1. Update Firmware: Upgrade G5DFR to version 1.2.3.13 or later.
- Download the update from [Elspec's official release notes](https://www.elspec-ltd.com/support/release-notes/g5dfr-release-notes/).
2. Network Security: Protect network access to devices using firewalls, segmentation, and secure remote access methods like VPNs.
3. Industrial Security Guidelines: Follow Siemens' [operational guidelines for industrial security](https://www.siemens.com/cert/operational-guidelines-industrial-security) and product manuals.
#### CISA's Recommendations
1. Minimize Network Exposure: Ensure control system devices are not accessible from the internet.
2. Isolate Networks: Locate control system networks behind firewalls and separate them from business networks.
3. Secure Remote Access: Use VPNs for remote access, ensuring they are updated to the latest version.
4. Defensive Measures: Implement CISA's recommended practices for control systems security, including [Defense-in-Depth Strategies](https://us-cert.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/recommended_practices/NCCIC_ICS-CERT_Defense_in_Depth_2016_S508C.pdf).
5. Monitor for Malicious Activity: Report suspected malicious activity to CISA for tracking and correlation.
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Attack Vector
- Physical Access Required: The vulnerability cannot be exploited remotely. Attackers must have direct physical access to the device.
- Exploitation Method: Inserting a USB drive with a specific reset string into the device's USB port.
---
Conclusion
The CVE-2025-59392 vulnerability in Siemens Energy Services highlights the ongoing risks faced by critical infrastructure sectors, particularly the energy industry. While the flaw requires physical access, its potential impact on system integrity and availability is severe. Organizations must apply patches immediately, follow Siemens' security guidelines, and implement CISA's recommended practices to reduce exposure.
Stay vigilant, monitor for updates, and ensure robust physical security measures are in place to protect critical systems from exploitation.
---
References
[^1]: CISA. "[ICSA-25-345-08 Siemens Energy Services](https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-advisories/icsa-25-345-08)". Retrieved 2025-01-24.
[^2]: Siemens ProductCERT. "[SSA-734261: Vulnerability in Energy Services](https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-734261.html)". Retrieved 2025-01-24.
[^3]: Elspec Ltd. "[G5DFR Release Notes](https://www.elspec-ltd.com/support/release-notes/g5dfr-release-notes/)". Retrieved 2025-01-24.
[^4]: MITRE. "[CWE-288: Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/288.html)". Retrieved 2025-01-24.