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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- CVSS v4 8.6
- ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity
- Vendor: Hitachi Energy
- Equipment: Relion 670/650/SAM600-IO
- Vulnerability: Improper Handling of Insufficient Privileges
2. RISK EVALUATION
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow anyone with user credentials to bypass the security controls enforced by the product.
3. TECHNICAL DETAILS
3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS
Hitachi Energy reports the following products are affected:
- Relion 670/650 series: Version 2.2.0 all revisions
- Relion 670/650/SAM600-IO series: Version 2.2.1 all revisions up to but not including version 2.2.1.8.
- Relion 670 series: Version 2.2.2 all revisions up to but not including 2.2.2.5
- Relion 670 series: Version 2.2.3 revisions up to 2.2.3.4
- Relion 670/650 series Version 2.2.4 all revisions up to but not including version 2.2.4.3.
- Relion 670/650/SAM600-IO series: Version 2.2.5 up to revision 2.2.5.1
- Relion 670/650 series: Version 2.1 all revisions up to but not including version 2.1.0.5
- Relion 670 series: Version 2.0 all revisions up to but not including version 2.0.0.14.
- Relion 650 series: Version 1.3 all revisions up to but not including version 1.3.0.8.
- Relion 650 series: Version 1.2 all revisions
- Relion 650 series: Version 1.1 all revisions
- Relion 650 series: Version 1.0 all revisions
3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW
3.2.1 IMPROPER HANDLING OF INSUFFICIENT PRIVILEGES CWE-274
A vulnerability exists in the database schema inside the product. An attacker could exploit the vulnerability by gaining access to credentials of any account or to have access to a session ticket issued for an account. Then, through the configuration tool that accesses the proprietary Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) protocol (TCP 2102), the database table can be manipulated for privilege escalation, which then allows unauthorized modification or to permanently disabling of the device.
CVE-2021-35534 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.2 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).
A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2021-35534. A base score of 8.6 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).
3.3 BACKGROUND
- CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Energy
- COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
- COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Switzerland
3.4 RESEARCHER
Hitachi Energy PSIRT reported this vulnerability to CISA.
4. MITIGATIONS
Hitachi Energy has identified the following recommended immediate actions for each affected version:
- Relion 650 series Version 2.2.1, Relion 670 series Version 2.2.1, SAM600-IO series Version 2.2.1: Update to Relion 670/650/SAM600-IO series Version 2.2.1.8.
- Relion 670 series Version 2.2.2: Update to Relion 670 series Version 2.2.2.5.
- Relion 670 series Version 2.2.3: Update to Relion 670 series Version 2.2.3.5.
- Relion 670 series Version 2.2.4, Relion 650 series Version 2.2.4: Update to Relion 670/650 series Version 2.2.4.3.
- Relion 670 series Version 2.2.5, Relion 670 series Version 2.2.5, SAM600-IO series Version 2.2.5: Update to Relion 670/650/SAM600-IO series Version 2.2.5.2.
- Relion 650 series Version 2.1.0, Relion 670 series Version 2.1.0: Update to Relion 670/650 series Version 2.1.0.5.
- Relion 670 series Version 2.0.0: Update to Relion 670/650 series Version 2.0.0.14.
- Relion 650 series Version 1.3.0.8: Update to Relion 650 series Version 1.3.0.8.
- Relion 670 series Version 2.2.0, Relion 650 series Version 1.1.0, Relion 650 series Version 1.0.0: Refer to the general mitigation factors below.
- Relion 650 series Version 1.2.0: Refer to the general mitigation factors below for the current mitigation strategy or upgrade to Relion 650 series Version 1.3.
For more information see the associated Hitachi Energy PSIRT security advisory 8DBD000058 Cybersecurity Advisory – Insufficient Security Control Vulnerability in Hitachi Energy Relion 670/650/SAM600-IO series Products.
Hitachi Energy recommends users implement recommended security practices and firewall configurations to help protect the process control network from attacks originating from outside the network. Process control systems should be physically protected from direct access by unauthorized personnel, have no direct connections to the Internet, and be separated from other networks by means of a firewall system with a minimal number of ports exposed. Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) protocol that is used for device configuration should be limited within the substation only. Process control systems should not be used for Internet surfing, instant messaging, or receiving e-mails. Portable computers and removable storage media should be carefully scanned for viruses before they are connected to a control system.
CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability. CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.
CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage on cisa.gov. Several CISA products detailing cyber defense best practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.
CISA encourages organizations to implement recommended cybersecurity strategies for proactive defense of ICS assets.
Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov in the technical information paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B–Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.
Organizations observing suspected malicious activity should follow established internal procedures and report findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.
No known public exploitation specifically targeting this vulnerability has been reported to CISA at this time.
5. UPDATE HISTORY
- March 06, 2025: Initial Publication
