APsystems Energy Communication Unit (ECU-C) Power Control Software

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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v3 8.8 *ATTENTION: Exploitable via adjacent network / low attack complexity
• Vendor: APsystems
• Equipment: Energy communication Unit (ECU-C) Power Control Software
• Vulnerability: Improper Access Control

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to access sensitive data and execute specific commands and functions with full admin rights without authenticating.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following APsystems products are affected:

• Energy Communication Unit Power Control Software: C1.2.2
• Energy Communication Unit Power Control Software: v3.11.4
• Energy Communication Unit Power Control Software: W2.1.NA
• Energy Communication Unit Power Control Software: v4.1SAA
• Energy Communication Unit Power Control Software: v4.1NA

3.2 Vulnerability Overview

3.2.1 IMPROPER ACCESS CONTROL CWE-284

APsystems ENERGY COMMUNICATION UNIT (ECU-C) Power Control Software V4.1NA, V3.11.4, W2.1NA, V4.1SAA, C1.2.2 allows attackers to access sensitive data and execute specific commands and functions with full admin rights.

CVE-2022-44037 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

3.3 BACKGROUND

• CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Energy
• COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
• COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: United States

3.4 RESEARCHER

CISA discovered public proof of concept as authored by Momen Eldawakhly (Cyber Guy) Samurai Digital Security Ltd.

4. MITIGATIONS

APSystems has not responded to requests to work with CISA to mitigate this vulnerability. Users of the affected product are encouraged to contact APSystems support for additional information.

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), recognizing VPNs may have vulnerabilities and should be updated to the most current version available. Also recognize VPN is 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/ics. 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/ics 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

• January 23, 2024: Initial Publication