# CVE-2026-59241: Siemens SIMATIC WinCC privilege escalation in database role

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-59241-a-vulnerability-has-been-identified-in-simatic-wincc-v7-5-all  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-13. Updated: 2026-10-16  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-59241 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.8 · Published 2026-10-13

SIMATIC WinCC is an industrial control system used to monitor and manage manufacturing and infrastructure operations. A database permission flaw allows authenticated attackers with database access to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary commands, potentially taking complete control of the system and disrupting critical operations.

Technologies: [Siemens SIMATIC WinCC](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/simatic-wincc). Vendors: [Siemens](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/siemens).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-59241 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-59241 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-59241?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.8, published 13 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Siemens SIMATIC WinCC V7.5 (all versions), V8.0 (all versions < V8.0 Update 11), V8.1 (all versions < V8.1 Update 7).

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-59241?** Yes: fixed in SIMATIC WinCC V8.0 Update 11 and later; SIMATIC WinCC V8.1 Update 7 and later. Until then: Restrict network access to the WinCC database using appropriate access control mechanisms. Configure the system according to Siemens' operational guidelines for Industrial Security to limit exposure to authenticated attackers. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-59241 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-59241?** Check whether you run Siemens SIMATIC WinCC at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- Fixed in SIMATIC WinCC V8.0 Update 11 and later; SIMATIC WinCC V8.1 Update 7 and later

Restrict network access to the WinCC database using appropriate access control mechanisms. Configure the system according to Siemens' operational guidelines for Industrial Security to limit exposure to authenticated attackers.

## Technical details

The vulnerability is an incorrect privilege assignment (CWE-266) in the database role configuration that allows authenticated remote attackers to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code on the host system. Attack requires prior authentication and network access to the database. The flaw affects multiple WinCC versions, with fixes available for v8.0 and v8.1 but not v7.5.

## Affected products

- Siemens SIMATIC WinCC V7.5 (all versions), V8.0 (all versions < V8.0 Update 11), V8.1 (all versions < V8.1 Update 7)

## Timeline

- 2026-10-13: disclosed

## References

- [https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-550198.html](https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-550198.html)

## Related threats

- [Siemens SIMATIC WinCC implicit active content execution vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-59082-a-vulnerability-has-been-identified-in-simatic-wincc-v7-5-all)
- [Siemens SIMATIC NTLM authentication relay vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-58114-a-vulnerability-has-been-identified-in-simatic-batch-v9-1-all)