1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- CVSS v3 7.5
- ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity
- Vendor: Hitachi Energy
- Equipment: MSM Product
- Vulnerabilities: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (‘Cross-site Scripting’), Reachable Assertion
2. RISK EVALUATION
Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could allow HTML injection via the name parameter or an assertion failure in fuzz_binary_decode, resulting in a crash.
3. TECHNICAL DETAILS
3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS
Hitachi Energy reports that the following products are affected:
- MSM: Versions 2.2.10 and prior
3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW
3.2.1 IMPROPER NEUTRALIZATION OF INPUT DURING WEB PAGE GENERATION (‘CROSS-SITE SCRIPTING’) CWE-79
goform/formTest in EmbedThis GoAhead 2.5 allows HTML injection via the name parameter.
CVE-2023-53155 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.2 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N).
3.2.2 REACHABLE ASSERTION CWE-617
Open62541 v1.4.6 has an assertion failure in fuzz_binary_decode, which leads to a crash.
CVE-2024-53429 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).
3.3 BACKGROUND
- CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Energy
- COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
- COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Switzerland
3.4 RESEARCHER
Hitachi Energy reported these vulnerabilities to CISA.
4. MITIGATIONS
Hitachi Energy recommends the following general mitigation factors:
- MSM is not intrinsically designed and intended to be directly connected to the internet. Disconnect the device from any internet-facing network. Hitachi Energy suggests adopting user access management and any state-of-the-art antivirus protection engines equipped with the latest signature rules on the computers that have installed and are operating the MSM Client application. As an example, use the operating system (OS) built-in user access management functionality, if supported, to limit the probability of unauthorized access followed by rogue commands via the MSM Client application.
- Hitachi Energy also recommends following the hardening guidelines published by “The Center for Internet Security (CIS)” to protect the host operating system of computers connected with MSM. This measure can help prevent the lateral movement of the attack vector into MSM via these connected devices. Some examples for Windows-based computers are listed below.
- CIS Microsoft Windows Desktop Benchmarks
- CIS Microsoft Windows Server Benchmarks
- Also follow the cybersecurity deployment recommendations as documented in section 3.9 of 2GHV045871_2018-P-en-Modular Switchgear Monitoring (MSM) – C.
- Additionally, Hitachi Energy recommends hardening web browsers in accordance with CIS Critical Security Control 9: Email and Web Browser Protections.
- Recommended security practices and firewall configurations can help protect a process control network from attacks that originate from outside the network. Such practices include ensuring that process control systems are physically protected from direct access by unauthorized personnel, have no direct connections to the internet, and are separated from other networks by means of a firewall system that has a minimal number of ports exposed, and others that have to be evaluated case by case. 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. Proper password policies and processes should be followed.
For more information, see the associated Hitachi Energy security advisory 8DBD000228 Open-Source Software Vulnerabilities in Hitachi Energy MSM Product.
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.
No known public exploitation specifically targeting these vulnerabilities has been reported to CISA at this time.
5. UPDATE HISTORY
- October 2, 2025: Initial Republication of Hitachi Energy PSIRT 8DBD000228
