OTPulse

Fuji Electric Alpha5

Plan PatchCVSS 7.8ICS-CERT ICSA-22-090-03Mar 31, 2022
Fuji ElectricEnergy
Attack path
Attack VectorLocal
Auth RequiredNone
ComplexityLow
User InteractionRequired
Summary

Fuji Electric Alpha5 versions prior to 4.4 contain memory corruption vulnerabilities (CWE-824, CWE-125, CWE-121, CWE-122) that could allow arbitrary code execution when a user opens a malicious file. The vulnerabilities are triggered through crafted file handling and require user interaction but do not require authentication or network access from the attacker. Successful exploitation could allow code execution on the engineering workstation, potentially enabling modification of control logic or access to sensitive information.

What this means
What could happen
An attacker who tricks a user into opening a malicious file could execute arbitrary code on the Alpha5 engineering workstation, potentially allowing them to alter control logic, modify process setpoints, or disrupt normal plant operations.
Who's at risk
Energy sector operators and engineers who use Fuji Electric Alpha5 version 4.3 or earlier for PLC programming and control logic development. This includes municipal electric utilities and power generation facilities that rely on Alpha5 for industrial control system engineering.
How it could be exploited
The attacker sends a crafted file (likely via email or social engineering) to an engineer or operator with access to the Alpha5 engineering environment. When the user opens the file, memory corruption vulnerabilities (CWE-824, CWE-125, CWE-121, CWE-122) are triggered, allowing code execution on the workstation running Alpha5. From there, the attacker could modify control logic or access sensitive plant information.
Prerequisites
  • User interaction required: engineer or operator must open a malicious file
  • Local network access to the Alpha5 engineering workstation
  • No special privileges or credentials needed from the attacker
Requires user interaction (social engineering via email)Local exploitation only, not remotely exploitableMemory corruption vulnerabilities with high impactNo patch available yet in some versions
Exploitability
Unlikely to be exploited — EPSS score 0.5%
Affected products (1)
ProductAffected VersionsFix Status
Alpha5: All< 4.34.4
Remediation & Mitigation
0/4
Do now
0/2
WORKAROUNDTrain engineers and operators on recognizing phishing emails and suspicious file attachments; establish a policy against opening unsolicited attachments
HARDENINGImplement email filtering and endpoint security tools to block or quarantine suspicious files before they reach users
Schedule — requires maintenance window
0/1

Patching may require device reboot — plan for process interruption

HOTFIXUpgrade Alpha5 to version 4.4 or later
Long-term hardening
0/1
HARDENINGSegment the engineering network so Alpha5 workstations are isolated from general office email systems where possible
View full CISA ICS-CERT advisory
API: /api/v1/advisories/8c82c12c-fa37-4a14-866d-7d23c675af9a

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