How I used MITRE EMB3D™ Threat Model to identify Siemens PLC vulnerabilities exploited by Stuxnet worm

Introduction

In this article, I will show how I used the MITRE EMB3D™ Threat Model to identify vulnerabilities in SIEMENS PLCs that were exploited by the Stuxnet worm to sabotage the Iran’s nuclear centrifuges.

About the MITRE EMB3D™ Threat Model

EMB3D™ is a Cybersecurity Threat Model release by MITRE in May 2024 and dedicated for Embedded Devices.

EMB3D is aligned with and expands on several existing models, including Common Weakness Enumeration, MITRE ATT&CK®, and Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures, but with a specific embedded-device focus. The threats defined within EMB3D are based on observation of use by threat actors, proof-of-concept and theoretical/conceptual security research publications, and device vulnerability and weakness reports. These threats are mapped to device properties to help users develop and tailor accurate threat models for specific embedded devices.

Coming in the next release of EMB3D in Summer 2024, each threat description will include a set of Foundational, Intermediate, and Leading mitigations. These mitigations will provide guidance on what technical mechanisms can best prevent or reduce the risk of that threat.

For each threat, EMB3D will suggest technical mechanisms that vendors should build into the device to mitigate the given threat. EMB3D is a comprehensive framework for the entire security ecosystem—device vendors, asset owners, security researchers, and testing organizations.

To know more about the MITRE EMB3D™ Cybersecurity Threat Model for Embedded Devices, check our article here.

About the Stuxnet attack

Stuxnet is a highly sophisticated worm discovered in 2010, believed to be developed jointly by the United States and Israel. It targeted supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, particularly those used in Iran’s nuclear program. Stuxnet specifically aimed at disrupting uranium enrichment processes by sabotaging centrifuges, demonstrating the potential of cyber weapons to physically damage critical infrastructure. Its complex code and ability to spread rapidly made it one of the most advanced and impactful cyber weapons ever deployed.

Stuxnet specifically targeted industrial process control systems manufactured by Siemens, including programmable logic controllers (PLCs). It exploited vulnerabilities in the software and communication protocols used by these systems to infiltrate and take control of the PLCs. Once infected, the PLCs could be manipulated to disrupt the operation of the centrifuges used in the Iranian nuclear program.

What is STEP 7 in Siemens PLC and how does Siemens PLC work

STEP 7 is a software platform developed by Siemens for programming and configuring its programmable logic controllers (PLCs). It is part of the Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) Portal, which provides a comprehensive suite of tools for automation tasks, including PLC programming, human-machine interface (HMI) design, and more.

Siemens PLCs are industrial control devices used to automate processes in various industries, such as manufacturing, energy, and transportation. They consist of hardware components, such as the CPU (central processing unit), input/output modules, and communication modules, which interface with sensors, actuators, and other devices in the physical environment.

The PLC’s operation is based on a programmed logic controller, which executes a control program created using software like STEP 7. The program defines the behavior of the PLC in response to inputs from sensors and other sources. When inputs change, the PLC processes this information according to the program’s logic and produces outputs to control actuators, machinery, or other devices.

• More about the Siemens STEP 7 software platform here.
• More about programming with STEP 7 here (PDF).

About Siemens S7-300 PLC

Iran’s nuclear centrifuges were using Siemens S7-300 and S7-400 PLCs.

To identify the main features and device properties of the Siemens S7 series PLC, I used the following datasheets (PDF) :

• More about the S7-300 Module data here (PDF)
• More about the S7-400 Module data here (PDF)

Identifying properties of the Siemens embedded device

What I consider as an embedded device is the STEP7 Workstation and the Siemens S7 series PLCs.

Device Property #1

Siemens S7-300 PLC does not include a traditional operating system (OS) or kernel in the same sense as a general-purpose computer. Instead, it operates using firmware that is specifically designed for real-time control tasks. This firmware is tightly integrated with the hardware of the PLC and is optimized for deterministic and reliable operation in industrial environments.

So, in the EMB3D™ Device Properties tool / System Software, I checked PID-23 – Device includes OS/kernel

Device Property #2

Applications and softwares are present and running on Siemens PLCs. These softwares are used for programming and configuring the PLC to perform specific control tasks. In the case of Siemens PLCs, the programming software is typically part of the Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) Portal suite, which includes tools like STEP 7 for programming.

Programmers use this application-level software to create control logic using programming languages such as ladder logic, function block diagram (FBD), or structured text. Once the control program is developed, it is downloaded to the PLC, where it runs directly on the PLC’s firmware.

This application-level software allows users to define the behavior of the PLC, specify how inputs should be processed, define control logic, and configure outputs to interact with the physical environment. It also provides tools for debugging, monitoring, and maintaining the PLC program during operation.

So, in the EMB3D™ Device Properties tool / Application Software, I checked PID-31 – Application-level software is present and running on the device

Device Property #3

Siemens PLCs, including the S7-300 series, have the ability to deploy custom programs created using engineering software or integrated development environments (IDEs). Siemens provides programming software such as STEP 7 (part of the TIA Portal suite) for developing custom control logic programs.

So, in the EMB3D™ Device Properties tool / Application Software, I checked PID-321 – Device includes ability to deploy custom programs from engineering software or IDE

Device Property #4

Siemens PLCs do include system function blocks, which are pre-defined blocks of logic that perform specific tasks within the PLC’s firmware. These function blocks are provided by Siemens as part of the PLC’s programming environment and are used for various system-level tasks, such as reading system information, manipulating data blocks, managing communication protocols, and performing other administrative functions.

So, in the EMB3D™ Device Properties tool / Application Software, I checked PID-3231 – Device includes ability to run custom/external programs as native binary without a confined/restricted environment

Siemens PLCs Properties to Threats Mapping

The following table is mapping the Device Properties to a list of Threats the Siemens S7 series PLCs may be exposed to because it incorporates those properties and features.

Threat Heat Map for Siemens PLCs

The following table represents a list of threats that pose a viable risk to the Siemens S7 series PLC

Next step

The next is to check if these vulnerabilities have been exploited by the Stuxnet worm.

Stay tuned … Coming soon

About the MITRE ATT&CK for ICS Matrix

To go futhermore convergence of IT and OT, and the concept of ICS (Industrial Control System), you can also have a look on the MITRE ATT&CK for ICS Matrix.

The MITRE ATT&CK for ICS Matrix is an overview of the tactics and techniques described in the ATT&CK for ICS knowledge base. It visually aligns individual techniques under the tactics in which they can be applied.

Below is the mapping of Stuxnet attack on the ATT&CK for ICS matrix (Than’ks to Airbus Cybersecurity). « Mapping Stuxnet to the ATT&CK for ICS matrix, as shown in figure 3, quickly shows how complex this attack was. Business risk owners can now identify which techniques to focus on if they need to minimise the risk from strikes like Stuxnet. »