Evidence used
- No CISA KEV confirmation is currently recorded.
- The selected CVSS metric records a network-reachable, unauthenticated path with no user interaction.
- EPSS is 2.22% for the current model date.
BlackTreeCVE IntelligenceFull vulnerability report · 2021
CVE-2021-31890High confidence
Siemens Capital Embedded AR Classic 431-422 — Improper Handling of Inconsistent Structural Elements
Siemens · Capital Embedded AR Classic 431-422
Official source article: Siemens SSA-620288 ↗. Check the applicable product and release in the original source.
7.5HighCVSS 3.1
Patch only the product branches with a verified fix
Fix availability varies by productHigh technical severity; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance. Verified remediation exists for at least one product or source, but 31 structured product or package states remain unresolved. Apply remediation only to the exact product branch confirmed by its source.
R
Open reassessment dashboard →Operational reassessment
Published severity in operational context
Published severityHigh→Operational priority:High, unchanged from published severity.unchanged
Compensating controls
- Validate the affected product branch and deploy the verified fixed release.
- Restrict the affected network interface to trusted sources where business-safe.
- Monitor vendor guidance and exploitation sources for a material change.
Verification
- Confirm that the asset runs Siemens Capital Embedded AR Classic 431-422 and falls inside the recorded affected range.
- Verify the installed build against the product-specific fixed version after deployment.
- Validate exposure, authentication requirements and compensating controls in the actual environment.
- Reopen this reassessment when CVSS, KEV, EPSS, exploit evidence or remediation changes.
Remediation availability differs by product scope
Verified remediation exists for at least one product or source, but 31 structured product or package states remain unresolved. Apply remediation only to the exact product branch confirmed by its source.
- Siemens ProductCERT: 2 affected or under-investigation product states without a fixed product state in the same current advisory
- Siemens ProductCERT: 23 affected or under-investigation product states without a fixed product state in the same current advisory
- Siemens ProductCERT: 1 affected or under-investigation product state without a fixed product state in the same current advisory
- Siemens ProductCERT: 1 affected or under-investigation product state without a fixed product state in the same current advisory
- Siemens ProductCERT: 4 affected or under-investigation product states without a fixed product state in the same current advisory
Direct vendor intelligence
5 currentAuthoritative vendor CSAF and VEX advisories
Structured product status and remediation from the issuing vendor. Product-state explanations are always visible; large lists can be searched or downloaded.
SSA-620288 · CSAF 2.0 · revision 4 · interimSiemens ProductCERTSSA-620288: Multiple Vulnerabilities (NUCLEUS:13) in Capital Embedded AR Classic
The vendor explicitly identifies these products as affected by this CVE.
- Capital Embedded AR Classic 431-422
- Capital Embedded AR Classic R20-11
- Summary
- The total length of an TCP payload (set in the IP header) is unchecked. This may lead to various side effects, including Information Leak and Denial-of-Service conditions, depending on the network buffer organization in memory. (FSMD-2021-0017)
- Remediation
- Update to V2303 or later version
SSA-114589 · CSAF 2.0 · revision 4 · interimSiemens ProductCERTSSA-114589: Multiple Vulnerabilities in Nucleus RTOS based APOGEE, TALON and Desigo PXC/PXM Products
The vendor explicitly identifies these products as affected by this CVE.
- APOGEE MBC (PPC) (BACnet)
- APOGEE MBC (PPC) (P2 Ethernet)
- APOGEE MEC (PPC) (BACnet)
- APOGEE MEC (PPC) (P2 Ethernet)
- APOGEE PXC Compact (BACnet)
- APOGEE PXC Compact (P2 Ethernet)
- APOGEE PXC Modular (BACnet)
- APOGEE PXC Modular (P2 Ethernet)
- Desigo PXC00-E.D
- Desigo PXC00-U
- Desigo PXC001-E.D
- Desigo PXC12-E.D
- Summary
- The total length of an TCP payload (set in the IP header) is unchecked. This may lead to various side effects, including Information Leak and Denial-of-Service conditions, depending on the network buffer organization in memory. (FSMD-2021-0017)
- Remediation
- Update to V3.5.4 or later version
SSA-223353 · CSAF 2.0 · revision 1 · finalSiemens ProductCERTSSA-223353: Multiple Vulnerabilities in Nucleus RTOS based SIMOTICS CONNECT 400
The vendor explicitly identifies these products as affected by this CVE.
- SIMOTICS CONNECT 400
- Summary
- The total length of an TCP payload (set in the IP header) is unchecked. This may lead to various side effects, including Information Leak and Denial-of-Service conditions, depending on the network buffer organization in memory. (FSMD-2021-0017)
- Remediation
- Update to V0.5.0.0 or later version
SSA-845392 · CSAF 2.0 · revision 1 · finalSiemens ProductCERTSSA-845392: Multiple Vulnerabilities in Nucleus RTOS based Siemens Energy PLUSCONTROL 1st Gen Devices
The vendor explicitly identifies these products as affected by this CVE.
- PLUSCONTROL 1st Gen
- Summary
- The total length of an TCP payload (set in the IP header) is unchecked. This may lead to various side effects, including Information Leak and Denial-of-Service conditions, depending on the network buffer organization in memory. (FSMD-2021-0017)
- Remediation
- PLUSCONTROL devices are typically located in a separate LAN segment of energy transmission solutions, where an attacker could use these vulnerabilities to disrupt SER messages or Trace functionalities. Therefore, review the status of the defense in depth recommendations that apply to your specific deployment and align as needed. Especially the measures on the network layer to prevent accessibility from other network segments.
SSA-044112 · CSAF 2.0 · revision 2 · finalSiemens ProductCERTSSA-044112: Multiple Vulnerabilities (NUCLEUS:13) in the TCP/IP Stack of Nucleus RTOS
The vendor explicitly identifies these products as affected by this CVE.
- Nucleus NET
- Nucleus ReadyStart V3
- Nucleus ReadyStart V4
- Nucleus Source Code
- Summary
- The total length of an TCP payload (set in the IP header) is unchecked. This may lead to various side effects, including Information Leak and Denial-of-Service conditions, depending on the network buffer organization in memory. (FSMD-2021-0017)
- Remediation
- Update to V2017.02.4 or later version
High technical severity; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance. Verified remediation exists for at least one product or source, but 31 structured product or package states remain unresolved. Apply remediation only to the exact product branch confirmed by its source.
Fix availability varies by product01
What, why and how
A vulnerability has been identified in Capital Embedded AR Classic 431-422 (All versions), Capital Embedded AR Classic R20-11 (All versions < V2303), PLUSCONTROL 1st Gen (All versions), SIMOTICS CONNECT 400 (All versions < V0.5.0.0), SIMOTICS CONNECT 400 (All versions < V1.0.0.0). The total length of an TCP payload (set in the IP header) is unchecked. This may lead to various side effects, including Information Leak and Denial-of-Service conditions, depending on the network buffer organization in memory. (FSMD-2021-0017)
What
A vulnerability has been identified in Capital Embedded AR Classic 431-422 (All versions), Capital Embedded AR Classic R20-11 (All versions < V2303), PLUSCONTROL 1st Gen (All versions), SIMOTICS CONNECT 400 (All versions < V0.5.0.0), SIMOTICS CONNECT 400 (All versions < V1.0.0.0). The total length of an TCP payload (set in the IP header) is unchecked. This may lead to various side effects, including Information Leak and Denial-of-Service conditions, depending on the network buffer organization in memory. (FSMD-2021-0017)
Why
The product does not handle or incorrectly handles when two or more structural elements should be consistent, but are not.
How
An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication or user interaction. If successful, the issue may cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor.
What
A vulnerability has been identified in Capital Embedded AR Classic 431-422 (All versions), Capital Embedded AR Classic R20-11 (All versions < V2303), PLUSCONTROL 1st Gen (All versions), SIMOTICS CONNECT 400 (All versions < V0.5.0.0), SIMOTICS CONNECT 400 (All versions < V1.0.0.0). The total length of an TCP payload (set in the IP header) is unchecked. This may lead to various side effects, including Information Leak and Denial-of-Service conditions, depending on the network buffer organization in memory. (FSMD-2021-0017)
Why
The product does not handle or incorrectly handles when two or more structural elements should be consistent, but are not.
How
An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication or user interaction. If successful, the issue may cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor.
02
Exploit reality and attack path
CVSS severity, EPSS forecast probability, public exploit material and CISA-confirmed exploitation are separate signals.
Observed exploitation No confirmed evidence
?
Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.No CISA KEV match was present at the last successful refresh. This means no confirmation from that source, not proof of no exploitation.
Public PoC / exploit material None recorded
?
Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.No exploit-tagged reference or CISA SSVC proof-of-concept state is currently recorded. Research may still exist outside the structured feeds.
- Likely attack path
- a network path → Improper Handling of Inconsistent Structural Elements → cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor
- Attack surface
- Network
- Privileges required
- None: unauthenticated exploitation is possible
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low: no specialised conditions are recorded
- Security boundary
- Unchanged: impact remains within the vulnerable component's security authority
- Weakness
?
CWE means Common Weakness Enumeration: a standard category for the underlying weakness. - CWE-240 ↗
CWE-240: Improper Handling of Inconsistent Structural Elements. The product does not handle or incorrectly handles when two or more structural elements should be consistent, but are not.
- CVSS vector
?
CVSS means Common Vulnerability Scoring System. The vector records the metric values used to calculate technical severity. CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:HCommon Vulnerability Scoring System 3.1: the compact vector below is decoded into plain language.
AVNetworkAttack vector: The vulnerable component can be reached over a network.ACLowAttack complexity: No specialised conditions are required beyond attacker-controlled input.PRNonePrivileges required: The attacker does not need an account or existing privileges.UINoneUser interaction: No action by another user is required.SUnchangedScope: The security impact remains within the vulnerable component's authority.CNoneConfidentiality impact: No direct loss is represented by this metric.INoneIntegrity impact: No direct loss is represented by this metric.AHighAvailability impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.- Post-exploitation / living off the land
- No specific living-off-the-land technique is confirmed in the structured sources. Monitor normal administration tools for activity inconsistent with the affected service's baseline.
03
Patch and workaround
Operational remediation based on structured source evidence.
- Status
?
Patch availability is based on structured fixed-version fields and authoritative update references. If no fix is verified, check the vendor advisory before making a change. - Fix availability varies by product
- Action
- Use the product-specific evidence above. Patch only products with a verified fixed release, and keep every affected or under-investigation state without a matching fix in the remediation queue.
- Workaround
- No verified workaround is recorded. If business-safe, reduce exposure to the affected interface and allow only trusted sources until authoritative guidance is available.
04
Evidence and provenance
Published 9 Nov 2021 · Last source change 11 Mar 2025, 09:47 UTC · CWE-240 · Improper Handling of Inconsistent Structural Elements
CVE recordCVE.org · 5.1
CVSS sourceCNA
EPSS source FIRST · tracked since 2026-08-14
?
The date BlackTree first stored a score for this CVE from the daily FIRST EPSS feed.European sourceENISA EUVD · EUVD-2021-18765
Product sourceVendor CSAF · Siemens ProductCERT
Remediation sourceVendor CSAF · Siemens ProductCERT
CWE sourceCNA
NVD statusNVD modified after enrichment
Core structured fields are present and their contributing authorities are shown above.
Material change intelligence
View recent updates ↗What changed after publication
- Affected versionsThe structured affected or fixed version information changed.Siemens ProductCERT ↗
- Before
- < *; < V2303; All versions; All versions < V0.5.0.0; All versions < V1.0.0.0 · Fixed: No fixed version is explicitly recorded in the structured CVE data.
- After
- < *; < V2303; All versions; All versions < V0.5.0.0; All versions < V1.0.0.0 · Fixed: Update to V3.5.4 or later version
- Remediation statusRemediation status changed from Awaiting fix to Patch available.Siemens ProductCERT ↗
- Before
- Awaiting fix
- After
- Patch available
CVE published
Fixed release recorded from official guidance
Technical terms and abbreviations used in this report
- CVE
- Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures: the public identifier for one disclosed vulnerability.
- CVSS
- Common Vulnerability Scoring System: a technical severity framework; it is not patching priority by itself.
- EPSS
- Exploit Prediction Scoring System: FIRST's estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days; it is a forecast, not confirmation.
- CWE
- Common Weakness Enumeration: the standard category describing the underlying software or hardware weakness.
- CNA
- CVE Numbering Authority: an organisation authorised to assign and publish CVE records.
- CISA ADP
- Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Authorized Data Publisher: structured enrichment added to a CVE record.
- NVD
- National Vulnerability Database: NIST's enrichment service for CVE records.
- CERT / CSIRT
- A computer security incident response team that publishes warnings or coordinates incident response.
- PoC
- Proof of concept: public material that demonstrates or helps reproduce exploitation.
- CSAF
- Common Security Advisory Framework: a machine-readable format for security advisories.
- LoTL
- Living off the land: abuse of legitimate tools or system functions during an attack.