OTPulse

Hitachi Energy TXpert Hub CoreTec 4

MonitorCVSS 6ICS-CERT ICSA-22-249-04Sep 6, 2022
Hitachi EnergyEnergy
Attack path
Attack VectorLocal
Auth RequiredHigh
ComplexityHigh
User InteractionNone needed
Summary

Hitachi Energy TXpert Hub CoreTec 4 versions 2.0.0 through 2.2.1 contain multiple vulnerabilities (CWE-288 authentication issues, CWE-20 input validation, CWE-494 firmware integrity) that could allow a locally authenticated attacker with high privileges to cause denial-of-service, modify device configuration, extract sensitive information, or load malicious firmware. These vulnerabilities are not exploitable remotely and require high attack complexity, but could undermine the integrity of energy control operations if the device is compromised by an insider or through prior system compromise. Successful exploitation could disrupt process control functions managed by the hub.

What this means
What could happen
An attacker with local access and high privileges could modify configuration, obtain sensitive information, load malicious firmware, or cause the TXpert Hub CoreTec 4 device to stop responding. This would disrupt the control hub's ability to manage energy distribution or generation systems.
Who's at risk
Hitachi Energy TXpert Hub CoreTec 4 is a control hub used in energy distribution and generation systems to manage process automation. This affects utilities and industrial facilities running versions 2.0.0 through 2.2.1 that depend on this device for operational control.
How it could be exploited
An attacker must already have physical access to the device or local system access with elevated administrative privileges. They would need to interact directly with the device or exploit privilege-escalation paths to manipulate firmware, configuration, or trigger a denial-of-service condition. The high attack complexity and local-only access requirement limit real-world exploitation risk.
Prerequisites
  • Physical or local system access to the TXpert Hub CoreTec 4 device
  • High privileges (administrative level) on the device or host system
  • Knowledge of or ability to exploit privilege escalation paths
No patch available for all affected versionsAffects safety-critical control systems in energy sectorLocal access required limits exposure but increases insider riskHigh attack complexity reduces but does not eliminate risk
Exploitability
Unlikely to be exploited — EPSS score 0.2%
Affected products (3)
3 with fix
ProductAffected VersionsFix Status
TXpert Hub CoreTec 4:2.2.0 | 2.2.12.3.0 or higher
TXpert Hub CoreTec 4:2.0.0 | 2.0.12.3.0 or higher
TXpert Hub CoreTec 4:2.1.0 | 2.1.1 | 2.1.2 | 2.1.32.3.0 or higher
Remediation & Mitigation
0/7
Do now
0/4
HARDENINGEnsure all users have individual user accounts; eliminate shared user accounts
HARDENINGApply principle of least privilege: grant users only the minimum rights required for their role
HARDENINGDelete all default user accounts from the system
WORKAROUNDScan portable computers and removable storage media for malware before connecting to the device
Schedule — requires maintenance window
0/1

Patching may require device reboot — plan for process interruption

HOTFIXUpdate TXpert Hub CoreTec 4 to version 2.3.0 or higher
Long-term hardening
0/2
HARDENINGPhysically protect the device from unauthorized direct access
HARDENINGDo not expose the device to the internet; use firewalls to isolate it from other networks
View full CISA ICS-CERT advisory
API: /api/v1/advisories/1cd4d950-f47f-4102-9201-5e9bed342397

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Hitachi Energy TXpert Hub CoreTec 4 | CVSS 6 - OTPulse