Hitachi Energy’s RTU500 Series firmware faces significant security risks due to vulnerabilities identified as CVE-2024-1531 and CVE-2024-1532, both related to unrestricted file uploads of a dangerous type. These vulnerabilities affect various versions of the CMU firmware ranging from 12.0.1 to 13.5.3. If exploited, these vulnerabilities could allow a malicious actor to alter the display of diagnostic texts or to print random memory content in the system log, potentially compromising the integrity and security of the RTU500 systems. Such vulnerabilities are particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of these systems in critical energy infrastructure globally.
The vulnerabilities have been assigned CVSS scores reflecting their severity, with CVE-2024-1531 scoring 7.0 and CVE-2024-1532 scoring 6.9 on the CVSS v4 scale. These scores indicate a considerable risk, primarily due to the low complexity of the attacks and the requirement that the attacker must have high-level privileges. The exploitation of these vulnerabilities could lead to significant disruptions, particularly in the energy sector where these systems are extensively used.
To address these vulnerabilities, Hitachi Energy has released updates for specific firmware versions. Users of firmware versions 12.7.1 to 12.7.6 and 13.2.1 to 13.2.6 are advised to update to versions 12.7.7 and 13.2.7, respectively, to mitigate the identified risks. For those using other affected versions that do not yet have updates, Hitachi Energy recommends several mitigation strategies including the use of firewalls with minimal port exposure, physical security measures, and avoiding direct internet connections for process control systems.
Furthermore, Hitachi Energy stresses the importance of adhering to recommended security practices such as not using process control systems for internet browsing, instant messaging, or email, and the careful scanning of portable computers and removable storage media for viruses before connection to control systems. These steps are critical in safeguarding process control networks from potential external attacks and ensuring the continuous and secure operation of critical infrastructure. This proactive approach by Hitachi Energy underscores their commitment to maintaining the security and integrity of their systems amid evolving cyber threats.
