External risk intelligence

SCALANCE LPE9403 Command Injection Allows Root Access

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.9)

CVE-2023-27407

The vulnerability exists in the web-based management interface of an industrial edge device (SCALANCE LPE9403). Such management interfaces are commonly exposed on network edges or accessible via administrative subnets, making them reachable in many deployment scenarios where remote management is required.

OS Command Injection

Siemens Scalance Lpe9403 Firmware

before 2.1

Halo Surface Signal: 4 out of 5 — likely to be public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

A vulnerability has been identified in SCALANCE LPE9403 devices that could allow an authenticated remote attacker to gain full control of the underlying operating system. This issue arises from improper validation of user input in the web-based management interface.

Input validation flaw allows system takeover.
Industrial edge devices may be at risk.
Confirm relevance and exposure to protected systems.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An attacker with login credentials could exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted input to the device's web management interface. This could allow them to execute commands on the underlying operating system with the highest level of privilege.

Requires authenticated access.
Vulnerable web-based management interface.
Achieve root user operating system access.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability could allow an authenticated attacker to inject and execute commands on the device's operating system. When the web-based management interface is accessible, an attacker with valid credentials could potentially gain root-level access to the underlying system, affecting its integrity and availability.

Device operating system and its functions.
Command injection via web management interface.
Potential unauthorized system access and control.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

The SCALANCE LPE9403 firmware's web-based management interface is susceptible to command injection, allowing authenticated remote attackers to gain root access to the underlying operating system. Responsibility for this vulnerability likely falls to the infrastructure or platform teams managing the SCALANCE devices, with initial steps involving identifying all instances of the affected firmware, confirming network exposure and business criticality, and then coordinating with the vendor for remediation planning.

Infrastructure/Platform teams own the issue.
Verify device exposure and criticality.
Plan vendor-coordinated remediation.

Supplementary metadata

CVSS vector

Validate whether this threat affects your internet-facing exposure.

Halo Threat Intelligence helps prioritize remediation with Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context. Start exposure validation with a free external attack surface trial.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Siemens SCALANCE LPE9403?

The SCALANCE LPE9403 is an industrial edge device designed for data processing and connectivity at the network edge. It acts as a bridge between operational technology environments and higher-level networks, often performing critical monitoring or management functions within automated industrial systems.

What does command injection mean for CVE-2023-27407?

Command injection (CWE-77/78) occurs when a program fails to filter user input, allowing an attacker to insert their own instructions into the system. In this case, the device's web management interface treats malicious inputs as legitimate system commands, granting the attacker root-level control over the underlying operating system.

Does any action trigger this vulnerability?

No, not every action triggers the flaw. Exploitation requires an attacker to already possess valid login credentials to the web-based management interface. Sending requests without proper authentication will not result in command injection, as the vulnerability is gated by the requirement to be a logged-in user.

Is my device at risk based on Halo Surface Signal?

Halo Surface Signal notes that because this device is an industrial edge component, its management interface is often placed on network edges or administrative subnets to enable remote oversight. If your LPE9403 interface is reachable from broader network segments, it faces a higher likelihood of being targeted.

How should I respond to this threat?

Begin by identifying all LPE9403 units in your environment running firmware versions prior to V2.1. Once identified, assess their network reachability to determine which are exposed. Finally, prioritize updating the firmware to a secure version in coordination with your vendor's guidance to eliminate the command injection path.

References

cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-325383.pdf

Written by Nicholas Merritt

Nicholas Merritt is VP of Security Solutions at Halo Security. With more than 25 years across application security, vulnerability prioritization, and offensive security, he helps teams translate threat data into practical exposure validation and remediation focus. He authors Halo Threat Intelligence CVE advisories using Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context to prioritize internet-facing risk.