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Hitachi Energy RTU500 Scripting Interface

Plan Patch7.4ICS-CERT ICSA-24-331-05Nov 26, 2024
Attack VectorNetwork
Auth RequiredNone
ComplexityHigh
User InteractionNone needed
Summary

Hitachi Energy RTU500 Scripting interface versions 1.0.1.30, 1.0.2, and 1.1.1 contain an improper certificate validation vulnerability (CWE-295) that allows attackers to spoof the identity of the service. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to intercept or forge communications from the scripting interface, potentially allowing them to impersonate the service to clients that connect to it. The vulnerability requires network access and has high attack complexity, meaning specific conditions must align for exploitation. No public exploits have been reported. Hitachi Energy recommends updating to version 1.2.1 and implementing network segmentation and physical security controls as described in the Remote Terminal Units Security Deployment Guideline.

What this means
What could happen
An attacker could spoof the identity of the RTU500 Scripting interface service, potentially allowing them to intercept communications or impersonate legitimate control commands to RTUs that rely on this interface for automation or remote operations.
Who's at risk
Energy and water utilities operating Hitachi Energy RTU500 Scripting interface (versions 1.0.1.30, 1.0.2, or 1.1.1) for remote terminal unit automation and control should be concerned. This affects distributed control and SCADA systems that rely on the scripting interface for communications between engineering workstations and remote terminal units.
How it could be exploited
An attacker with network access to the RTU500 Scripting interface could exploit improper certificate validation (CWE-295) to establish a spoofed connection that impersonates the legitimate service. This requires the attacker to be positioned on the network or able to intercept communications, and the victim system must attempt to connect to the interface without properly validating the server's identity.
Prerequisites
  • Network access to the RTU500 Scripting interface port
  • Ability to intercept or position on the network path between the client and RTU500 service
  • RTU500 Scripting interface versions 1.0.1.30, 1.0.2, or 1.1.1 in use
  • High attack complexity—specific network conditions or timing required for exploitation
Remotely exploitableHigh attack complexityNo authentication required for the spoofing attackAffects critical control system communicationLow EPSS score—exploitation unlikely in practice
Exploitability
Low exploit probability (EPSS 0.1%)
Affected products (3)
3 with fix
ProductAffected VersionsFix Status
RTU500 Scripting interface=1.0.1.30=1.2.1
RTU500 Scripting interface=1.0.2=1.2.1
RTU500 Scripting interface=1.1.1=1.2.1
Remediation & Mitigation
0/6
Do now
0/3
HARDENINGDo not directly connect RTU500 systems to the Internet
HARDENINGRestrict direct physical access to RTU500 devices and control systems to authorized personnel only
HARDENINGScan portable computers and removable storage media for malware before connecting to RTU500 control systems
Schedule — requires maintenance window
0/1

Patching may require device reboot — plan for process interruption

RTU500 Scripting interface
HOTFIXUpdate RTU500 Scripting interface to version 1.2.1 or later
Long-term hardening
0/2
HARDENINGImplement network segmentation: separate RTU500 systems from other networks using a firewall with minimal exposed ports
HARDENINGFollow Hitachi Energy's 'Remote Terminal Units Security Deployment Guideline' for secure configuration of RTU500 systems
View full CISA ICS-CERT advisory
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Hitachi Energy RTU500 Scripting Interface | CVSS 7.4 - OTPulse