Siemens SIMATIC RTLS Locating Manager arbitrary code execution
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Improper input validation in SIMATIC RTLS Locating Manager before V3.2 allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code as SYSTEM.
Siemens SIMATIC RTLS Locating Manager versions prior to V3.2 contain an improper input validation vulnerability (CWE-20) in a backup script function. An authenticated remote attacker with high privileges within the application can exploit this to execute arbitrary code with NT Authority/SYSTEM privileges, gaining complete system control.
The vulnerability is assigned CVE-2025-40746 with a CVSS v3.1 score of 9.1 and CVSS v4 score of 9.4, reflecting its remotely exploitable nature and low attack complexity. The affected product is deployed worldwide in critical manufacturing environments. Siemens reports no known public exploitation at the time of advisory publication.
Mitigation requires immediate upgrade to SIMATIC RTLS Locating Manager V3.2 or later. Organizations should implement network segmentation, restrict administrative access, and ensure devices are not exposed to the internet. Remote access should be protected via VPN or equivalent secure channels.
Mentioned in this report
Detection guidance
SIMATIC RTLS Locating Manager Process Spawning Shell as SYSTEM
Detects PowerShell or cmd spawned as SYSTEM by a process running from an RTLS / Locating Manager install path, consistent with CVE-2025-40746 backup-script code execution. Auto-generated starting point — validate and tune in your environment before deploying. IOC matches can false-positive on shared infrastructure and decay as adversary infrastructure rotates.
title: SIMATIC RTLS Locating Manager Process Spawning Shell as SYSTEM
description: Detects PowerShell, pwsh or cmd.exe running as NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM with
a parent process executing from an RTLS / Locating Manager path. Based on CVE-2025-40746,
where improper input validation in the backup script function gives an authenticated
high-privilege user SYSTEM code execution. The product path match is inferred from
the product name, so tune it to the local install directory.
references:
- https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-advisories/icsa-25-226-13
tags:
- attack.initial-access
- attack.t1190
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059.001
logsource:
category: process_creation
product: windows
detection:
selection_parent:
ParentImage|contains:
- RTLS
- Locating Manager
selection_child:
Image|endswith:
- \powershell.exe
- \pwsh.exe
- \cmd.exe
User|contains:
- AUTHORITY
- SYSTEM
filter_backup_noise:
CommandLine|contains: -Version
condition: selection_parent and selection_child and not filter_backup_noise
falsepositives:
- Legitimate RTLS Locating Manager scheduled backup scripts that are launched through
cmd.exe or PowerShell
- Administrators running maintenance scripts from the application directory
level: medium
id: 77c3e914-e9bc-58b1-bb37-7b25988ea95a
status: experimental
author: Vorant
Behavioural rules are generated from public reporting — validate in your environment before deploying.
Source reporting: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-advisories/icsa-25-226-13
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