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Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V. smartRTU and INEA ME-RTU

Act Now9.8ICS-CERT ICSA-21-252-03Sep 9, 2021
Attack VectorNetwork
Auth RequiredNone
ComplexityLow
User InteractionNone needed
Summary

Mitsubishi Electric smartRTU and INEA ME-RTU devices (firmware versions earlier than 3.3) contain multiple vulnerabilities including command injection (CWE-78), improper access control (CWE-284), cross-site scripting (CWE-79), hardcoded credentials (CWE-798), and weak privilege separation. These allow an attacker to gain remote code execution on the device without authentication, extract stored credentials, and use those credentials to access other connected RTUs and control systems. Known public exploits exist for these vulnerabilities.

What this means
What could happen
An attacker with network access to a smartRTU or INEA ME-RTU device could execute arbitrary commands on the device, allowing them to alter setpoints, disable alarms, manipulate control logic, or disrupt critical operations in energy systems. Attackers could also extract stored credentials to gain access to other networked RTUs and control systems.
Who's at risk
Energy utilities and municipal power systems using Mitsubishi Electric smartRTU or INEA ME-RTU devices for remote telemetry, monitoring, and control of substations, generation facilities, or distribution networks. Any facility relying on these RTUs for SCADA communications is at risk.
How it could be exploited
An attacker on the same network (or from the internet if the device is exposed) can send a specially crafted network request to the RTU without needing credentials. The vulnerability in command handling and authentication allows the attacker to run arbitrary commands directly on the device, bypassing access controls. Once inside, the attacker can extract credentials stored on the device and reuse them to compromise other RTUs or control systems on the network.
Prerequisites
  • Network access to the smartRTU or INEA ME-RTU device (direct or via compromised network segment)
  • Device running firmware version earlier than 3.3
  • No authentication required for exploitation
remotely exploitableno authentication requiredlow complexityknown public exploits availableaffects critical energy infrastructurehigh EPSS score (60.8%)all firmware versions before 3.3 affectedallows credential extraction for lateral movement
Exploitability
High exploit probability (EPSS 60.8%)
Affected products (1)
ProductAffected VersionsFix Status
smartRTU and INEA ME-RTU: all< 3.33.3 or later
Remediation & Mitigation
0/5
Do now
0/3
HARDENINGIsolate all smartRTU and INEA ME-RTU devices from the internet and public networks using firewalls
WORKAROUNDIf remote access is required, implement a VPN connection with current security patches; monitor VPN access logs
HARDENINGScan for and rotate any credentials found on or transmitted by compromised RTUs across all networked control systems
Schedule — requires maintenance window
0/1

Patching may require device reboot — plan for process interruption

HOTFIXUpdate firmware to version 3.3 or later on all smartRTU and INEA ME-RTU devices
Long-term hardening
0/1
HARDENINGPlace RTU devices behind firewalls on a dedicated, segmented OT network separate from business network
View full CISA ICS-CERT advisory
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