How severe is CVE-2018-11453?

CVE-2018-11453 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2018-11453 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (28th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2018-11453?

CVE-2018-11453 primarily affects Siemens Simatic Step 7 (tia Portal). In total, 13 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2018-11453?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2018-11453 published?

CVE-2018-11453 was published on 2018-08-07 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2018-11453

CVE-2018-11453 is a high-severity vulnerability in Siemens Simatic Step 7 (tia Portal) with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-732.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 4.6
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (28th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-732
Affected product: Siemens Simatic Step 7 (tia Portal)
Published: 2018-08-07
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC STEP 7 (TIA Portal) and WinCC (TIA Portal) V10, V11, V12 (All versions), SIMATIC STEP 7 (TIA Portal) and WinCC (TIA Portal) V13 (All versions < V13 SP2 Update 2), SIMATIC STEP 7 (TIA Portal) and WinCC (TIA Portal) V14 (All versions < V14 SP1 Update 6), SIMATIC STEP 7 (TIA Portal) and WinCC (TIA Portal) V15 (All versions < V15 Update 2). Improper file permissions in the default installation of TIA Portal may allow an attacker with local file system access to insert specially crafted files which may prevent TIA Portal startup (Denial-of-Service) or lead to local code execution. No special privileges are required, but the victim needs to attempt to start TIA Portal after the manipulation.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2018-11453?: A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC STEP 7 (TIA Portal) and WinCC (TIA Portal) V10, V11, V12 (All versions), SIMATIC STEP 7 (TIA Portal) and WinCC (TIA Portal) V13 (All versions < V13 SP2 Update 2), SIMATIC STEP 7 (TIA Portal) and WinCC (TIA Portal) V14 (All versions < V14 SP1 Update 6), SIMATIC STEP 7 (TIA Portal) and WinCC (TIA Portal) V15 (All versions < V15 Update 2). Improper file permissions in the default installation of TIA Portal may allow an attacker with local file system access to insert specially crafted files which may prevent TIA Portal startup (Denial-of-Service) or lead to local code execution. No special privileges are required, but the victim needs to attempt to start TIA Portal after the manipulation.
How severe is CVE-2018-11453?: CVE-2018-11453 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2018-11453 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (28th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2018-11453?: CVE-2018-11453 primarily affects Siemens Simatic Step 7 (tia Portal). In total, 13 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2018-11453?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2018-11453 published?: CVE-2018-11453 was published on 2018-08-07 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (13)

cpe:2.3:a:siemens:simatic_step_7_\(tia_portal\):10.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:simatic_step_7_\(tia_portal\):11.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:simatic_step_7_\(tia_portal\):12.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:simatic_step_7_\(tia_portal\):13.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:simatic_step_7_\(tia_portal\):13.0:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:simatic_step_7_\(tia_portal\):14.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:simatic_step_7_\(tia_portal\):15.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:simatic_wincc_\(tia_portal\):10.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:simatic_wincc_\(tia_portal\):11.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:simatic_wincc_\(tia_portal\):12.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:simatic_wincc_\(tia_portal\):13.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:simatic_wincc_\(tia_portal\):14.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:simatic_wincc_\(tia_portal\):15.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Siemens Simatic Step 7 (tia Portal)

CVE-2018-11454 — High (CVSS 8.6): A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC STEP 7 (TIA Portal) and WinCC (TIA Portal) V10, V11, V12 (All versions),…
CVE-2021-37172 — High (CVSS 7.5): A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC S7-1200 CPU family (incl. SIPLUS variants) (V4.5.0). Affected devices…
CVE-2017-6865 — Medium (CVSS 6.5): A vulnerability has been identified in Primary Setup Tool (PST) (All versions < V4.2 HF1), SIMATIC Automation Tool (All…
CVE-2016-7165 — Medium (CVSS 6.4): A vulnerability has been identified in Primary Setup Tool (PST) (All versions < V4.2 HF1), SIMATIC IT Production Suite…
CVE-2018-13811 — Medium (CVSS 5.5): A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC STEP 7 (TIA Portal) (All Versions < V15.1). Password hashes with…

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