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Hitachi Energy IEC 61850 MMS-Server (Update B)

Monitor5.9ICS-CERT ICSA-23-089-01Feb 14, 2023
Attack VectorNetwork
Auth RequiredNone
ComplexityHigh
User InteractionNone needed
Summary

Hitachi Energy has identified a vulnerability in the IEC 61850 MMS-server communication stack used in Relion 670, 650, and SAM600-IO products. An attacker with network access to port 102 can send a malformed MMS request that crashes the server, preventing new client connections and stopping the device from accepting MMS commands. The device must be manually rebooted to restore communication. During reboot, the relay's primary protection and control functions are unavailable. Hitachi Energy has released firmware updates for most affected versions, but SAM600-IO versions 2.2.1.0–2.2.1.8 have no fix planned.

What this means
What could happen
An attacker can crash the IEC 61850 MMS-server on Hitachi Energy relays, forcing a manual reboot to restore communication with protection and control devices. During reboot, the device cannot accept new client connections and primary protection functionality is unavailable.
Who's at risk
Protection and control relay operators at electric utilities and transmission operators who rely on Hitachi Energy Relion 670/650 series relays and SAM600-IO I/O modules for substation automation. These devices are critical to grid protection and restoration logic. Impact is most severe in systems where these relays handle primary protection functions or are part of critical emergency response chains.
How it could be exploited
An attacker with network access to port 102 (IEC 61850 MMS) sends a malformed or specially crafted MMS connection request. The vulnerable server fails to properly handle the request and stops accepting new connections, effectively denying access to the relay until it is manually rebooted.
Prerequisites
  • Network access to port 102 (IEC 61850 MMS-server)
  • No authentication required
  • Device must be running an affected firmware version
remotely exploitableno authentication requiredlow complexityaffects safety systems (grid protection relays)no patch available for SAM600-IO versions 2.2.1.0–2.2.1.8
Exploitability
Low exploit probability (EPSS 0.6%)
Affected products (4)
3 with fix1 pending
ProductAffected VersionsFix Status
Relion 670 series≥ 1.2|≤ 1.2.3.22; ≥ 2.0|≤ 2.0.0.13; ≥ 2.1|≤ 2.1.0.5 and 6 more2.2.5.6 or latest
Relion 650 series1.1; 1.3; ≥ 2.1|≤ 2.1.0.5 and 4 more2.2.5.6 or latest
SAM600-IO series≥ 2.2.1.0|≤ 2.2.1.8No fix yet
SAM600-IO series≥ 2.2.5.0|≤ 2.2.5.52.2.5.6 or latest
Remediation & Mitigation
0/5
Do now
0/1
WORKAROUNDFor SAM600-IO versions 2.2.1.0–2.2.1.8: Implement network-level access controls to restrict port 102 (IEC 61850 MMS) to known, trusted devices (engineering workstations and authorized RTUs/relays). No vendor patch is available for this series.
Schedule — requires maintenance window
0/3

Patching may require device reboot — plan for process interruption

Relion 670 series
HOTFIXUpdate Relion 670 series to firmware version 2.2.5.6 or latest
Relion 650 series
HOTFIXUpdate Relion 650 series to firmware version 2.2.5.6 or latest
SAM600-IO series
HOTFIXUpdate SAM600-IO series versions 2.2.5.0–2.2.5.5 to version 2.2.5.6 or latest
Long-term hardening
0/1
HARDENINGSegment IEC 61850 MMS communication to a dedicated VLAN and firewall rules to limit MMS-server access to essential grid automation devices only
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