CISA Advisory: Schneider Electric PowerLogic PM55xx and PowerLogic PM8ECC

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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v4 9.5
• ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity
• Vendor: Schneider Electric
• Equipment: PowerLogic PM5500 and PowerLogic PM8ECC
• Vulnerabilities: Weak Password Recovery Mechanism for Forgotten Password, Improper Authentication

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could result in an attacker gaining escalated privileges and obtaining control of the device.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following versions of PowerLogic PM55xx power metering devices and PowerLogic PM8ECC ethernet communication module are affected:

• PM5560: Versions prior to v2.7.8
• PM5561: Versions prior to v10.7.3
• PM5562: v2.5.4 and prior
• PM5563: Versions prior to v2.7.8
• PM8ECC: All versions

3.2 Vulnerability Overview

3.2.1 WEAK PASSWORD RECOVERY MECHANISM FOR FORGOTTEN PASSWORD CWE-640

The affected product is vulnerable due to weak password recovery mechanisms, which may allow an attacker to gain unauthorized access and potentially deny service to legitimate system users.

CVE-2021-22763 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.1 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2021-22763. A base score of 9.5 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H).

3.2.2 IMPROPER AUTHENTICATION CWE-287

The affected product is vulnerable due to improper authentication, which may provide an attacker with sensitive information or allow an attacker to remotely execute arbitrary code.

CVE-2021-22764 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.3 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:L).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2021-22764. A base score of 6.9 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.3 BACKGROUND

• CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Energy
• COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Multiple
• COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: France

3.4 RESEARCHER

Jacob Baines of Dragos reported these vulnerabilities to CISA.

4. MITIGATIONS

Schneider has provided the following remediations:

Schneider Electric recommends the following industry cybersecurity best practices:

• Locate control and safety system networks and remote devices behind firewalls and isolate them from the business network.
• Install physical controls so no unauthorized personnel can access your industrial control and safety systems, components, peripheral equipment, and networks.
• Place all controllers in locked cabinets and never leave them in the “Program” mode.
• Never connect programming software to any network other than the network intended for that device.
• Scan all methods of mobile data exchange with the isolated network such as CDs, USB drives, etc. before use in the terminals or any node connected to these networks.
• Never allow mobile devices that have connected to any other network besides the intended network to connect to the safety or control networks without proper sanitation.
• Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and systems and ensure that they are not accessible from the Internet.
• When remote access is required, use secure methods, such as virtual private networks (VPNs). Recognize that VPNs may have vulnerabilities and should be updated to the most current version
  available. Also, understand that VPNs are only as secure as the connected devices.

For more information refer to the Schneider Electric Recommended Cybersecurity Best Practices document and the associated Schneider Electric Security Notification SEVD-2021-159-02 in PDF and CSAF.

CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of these vulnerabilities. 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 these vulnerabilities has been reported to CISA at this time.

5. UPDATE HISTORY

• November 26, 2024: Initial Publication