Hitachi Energy has an update available to handle NULL pointer dereference and infinite loop vulnerabilities in its Gateway Station (GWS), according to a report with CISA.
Successful exploitation of these remotely exploitable vulnerabilities, which Hitachi Energy self-reported, could cause affected modules to stop working.
Hitachi Energy reports these vulnerabilities affect open-source software (OpenLDAP and OpenSSL) used by the following Gateway Station (GWS) versions:
- GWS 2.0.0.0
- GWS 2.1.0.0
- GWS 2.2.0.0
- GWS 2.3.0.0
- GWS 2.4.0.0
- GWS 3.0.0.0
- GWS 3.1.0.0
- GWS 3.2.0.0 and earlier
In one issue, a NULL pointer dereference was found in affected versions of OpenLDAP. An unauthenticated attacker could remotely crash the slapd process by sending a specially crafted request, causing a denial-of-service condition on the user authentication function.
Local authentication will continue to work; the authentication service is not installed by default.
CVE-2020-25692 is the case number assigned to this vulnerability, which has a CVSS v3 base score of 7.5.
In addition, a vulnerability exists in the OpenSSL’s BN_mod_sqrt() function, which computes a modular square root containing a bug that can cause it to loop forever for non-prime moduli. Internally, this function is used when parsing certificates containing elliptic curve public keys in compressed form or explicit elliptic curve parameters with a base point encoded in compressed form. Successful exploitation may cause a denial-of-service condition.
CVE-2022-2277 is the case number assigned to this vulnerability, which has a CVSS v3 base score of 7.5.
The product sees use mainly in the energy sector, and on a global basis.
An attacker with low skill level could leverage these low complexity vulnerabilities.
Hitachi Energy created an update to address the reported vulnerabilities and recommends users update to at least GWS version 3.3.0.0.
For CVE-2020-25692, the vulnerability impacts GWS if the authentication service is installed. It is not installed by default but is required during the installation process of GWS, or installed manually later. Authentication Service (previously ABB Authentication Service) is only needed when GWS users are authenticated using centralized SDM600 user account management.
Hitachi Energy recommends the following general mitigation factors and security practices:
- Configure firewalls to protect process control networks from attacks originating from outside the network
- Physically protect process control systems from direct access by unauthorized personnel
- Avoid directly connecting control systems to the Internet
- Separate process control networks from other networks using a firewall system with a minimal number of ports exposed
- Process control systems should not be used for Internet surfing, instant messaging, or receiving emails
- Portable computers and removable storage media should be carefully scanned for viruses before connecting to a control system
- Enforce proper password policies and processes
For more information, click on Hitachi security advisory 8DBD000118.