Hitachi Energy MACH PS700

Posted on Tuesday March 04, 2025

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

CVSS v3 6.7
ATTENTION:
Vendor: Hitachi Energy
Equipment: MACH PS700
Vulnerability: Uncontrolled Search Path Element

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to escalate privileges and gain control over the software.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

Hitachi Energy reports the following products are affected:

MACH PS700: Version v2

3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

3.2.1 UNCONTROLLED SEARCH PATH ELEMENT CWE-427

Uncontrolled search path element in some Intel(R) Chipset Device Software before Version 10.1.19444.8378 may allow an authenticated user to potentially enable escalation of privilege via local access.

CVE-2023-28388 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 6.7 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

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 specific workarounds and mitigations users can apply to reduce risk:

MACH PS700 v2 System: Install patch scripts to safely remove the software causing the vulnerability. In addition, general mitigation factors are recommended. (Due to complexity of individual implementation of project, contact local account team for further information on possible remediation and mitigation strategies.)

For more information see the associated Hitachi Energy PSIRT security advisory 8DBD000208 Cybersecurity Advisory - Intel Chipset Software Vulnerability in Hitachi Energy MACH PS700 v2 System.

CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability, 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.

No known public exploitation specifically targeting this vulnerability has been reported to CISA at this time. This vulnerability is not exploitable remotely. This vulnerability has a high attack complexity.