XZERES 442SR Wind Turbine Vulnerability
Low RiskICS-CERT ICSA-15-076-01Dec 18, 2015
Summary
XZERES 442SR Wind Turbine contains a cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability that affects all versions of the turbine controller. The vulnerability exists in the web interface used for remote monitoring and control of the turbine system.
What this means
What could happen
An attacker could forge requests to modify turbine control settings or operational parameters through the web interface, potentially causing the turbine to shut down, change output settings, or operate unsafely without the operator's knowledge.
Who's at risk
Wind farm operators and facility managers responsible for XZERES 442SR wind turbine systems should be concerned. This affects renewable energy generation facilities, particularly those with remote turbine monitoring capabilities.
How it could be exploited
An attacker would trick an authorized operator into visiting a malicious website while the operator is logged into the turbine's web management interface. The attacker's page then submits forged requests to the turbine controller to modify settings or change operational state. This requires the operator to be logged in and visiting the attacker's site simultaneously.
Prerequisites
- Operator must be logged into the turbine web interface
- Operator must visit attacker-controlled website while logged in
- Network access to the turbine's web interface (likely internal to the facility)
no patch availableaffects operational equipment controlrequires user interaction (operator social engineering)
Exploitability
Low exploit probability (EPSS 0.1%)
Affected products (1)
ProductAffected VersionsFix Status
442SR: vers:all/*All versionsNo fix (EOL)
Remediation & Mitigation
0/5
Do now
0/2WORKAROUNDDisable remote access to the turbine web interface if not actively required for operations; use local serial or local network connections only
HARDENINGRequire operators to log out of the turbine management interface immediately after completing monitoring or control tasks
Schedule — requires maintenance window
0/2Patching may require device reboot — plan for process interruption
HARDENINGImplement a web application firewall or reverse proxy in front of the turbine interface to add CSRF token validation if the turbine interface does not provide it natively
HARDENINGMonitor turbine operation logs for unexpected changes to setpoints or configuration that may indicate unauthorized modification attempts
Mitigations - no patch available
0/1442SR: vers:all/* has reached End of Life. The vendor will not release a patch. Apply the following compensating controls:
HARDENINGImplement network segmentation to restrict access to the turbine web interface to authorized monitoring workstations only
CVEs (1)
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