Hitachi Energy RTU500 Series  – All CISA Advisories

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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v4 8.2
• ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity
• Vendor: Hitachi Energy
• Equipment: RTU500 series
• Vulnerabilities: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (‘Cross-site Scripting’), Improper Validation of Specified Index, Position, or Offset in Input

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to execute cross-site scripting or trigger a denial-of-service condition on the affected device.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

Hitachi Energy reports the following products are affected:

• RTU500 series: Versions 12.0.1 to 12.0.14
• RTU500 series: Versions 12.2.1 to 12.2.11
• RTU500 series: Versions 12.4.1 to 12.4.11
• RTU500 series: Versions 12.6.1 to 12.6.9
• RTU500 series: Versions 12.7.1 to 12.7.6
• RTU500 series: Versions 13.2.1 to 13.2.6
• RTU500 series: Versions 13.4.1 to 13.4.3

3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

3.2.1 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (‘Cross-site Scripting’) CWE-79

A vulnerability exists in the webserver that affects the RTU500 series product versions listed above. A malicious actor could perform cross-site scripting on the webserver due to an RDT language file being improperly sanitized.

CVE-2023-5767 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.0 has been assigned; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:L).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2023-5767. A base score of 7.0 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:L/VI:H/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.2.2 Improper Validation of Specified Index, Position, or Offset in Input CWE-1285

A vulnerability exists in the HCI IEC 60870-5-104 that affects the RTU500 series product versions listed above. An incomplete or incorrectly received APDU frame layout may cause blocking on the link layer. The error is caused by endless blocking when reading incoming frames on the link layer with incorrect length information of APDU or delayed reception of data octets. Only the communication link of the affected HCI IEC 60870-5-104 is blocked. If the attack sequence stops, the communication to the previously attacked link stabilizes.

CVE-2023-5768 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.9 has been assigned; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2023-5768. A base score of 8.2 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.2.3 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (‘Cross-site Scripting’) CWE-79

A vulnerability exists in the webserver that affects the RTU500 series product versions listed above. A malicious actor could perform cross-site scripting on the webserver due to user input being improperly sanitized.

CVE-2023-5769 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.4 has been assigned; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2023-5769. A base score of 5.1 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.3 BACKGROUND

• CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Critical Manufacturing
• COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
• COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Switzerland

3.4 RESEARCHER

Hitachi Energy reported these vulnerabilities to CISA.

4. MITIGATIONS

Hitachi Energy recommend users take the following actions as well as following general mitigation measures:

• RTU500 series Versions 12.0.1 – 12.0.14: Update to CMU Firmware Version 12.0.15
• RTU500 series Versions 12.2.1 – 12.2.11: Update to CMU Firmware Version 12.2.12
• RTU500 series Versions 12.4.1 – 12.4.11: Update to CMU Firmware Version 12.4.12
• RTU500 series Versions 12.6.1 – 12.6.9: Update to CMU Firmware Version 12.6.10
• RTU500 series Versions 12.7.1 – 12.7.6: Update to CMU Firmware Version 12.7.7
• RTU500 series Versions 13.2.1 – 13.2.6: Update to CMU Firmware Version 13.2.7
• RTU500 series Versions 13.4.1 – 13.4.3: Update to CMU Firmware Version 13.4.4 or 13.5.1

For more information see the associated Hitachi Energy PSIRT security advisory.

CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of these vulnerabilities, such as:

• Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, ensuring they are not accessible from the Internet.
• Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls and isolating them from business networks.
• When remote access is required, use more secure methods, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). Recognize VPNs may have vulnerabilities, should be updated to the most recent version available, and are only as secure as the connected devices.

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.

CISA also recommends users take the following measures to protect themselves from social engineering attacks:

• Do not click web links or open attachments in unsolicited email messages.
• Refer to Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scams for more information on avoiding email scams.
• Refer to Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks for more information on social engineering attacks.

No known public exploitation specifically targeting these vulnerabilities has been reported to CISA at this time.

5. UPDATE HISTORY

• May 8, 2025: Initial Republication of Hitachi Energy Advisory 8DBD000176

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