CVE-2022-2081 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides details about CVE-2022-2081, a vulnerability in the HCI Modbus TCP function of Hitachi Energy's RTU500 series CMU firmware.

Understanding CVE-2022-2081

CVE-2022-2081 is a vulnerability in the HCI Modbus TCP function included in certain versions of Hitachi Energy's RTU500 series CMU firmware.

What is CVE-2022-2081?

A vulnerability exists in the HCI Modbus TCP function of specified product versions. Exploiting this vulnerability allows an attacker to send a specially crafted message to the RTU500, causing the targeted CMU to reboot.

The Impact of CVE-2022-2081

The vulnerability results from a lack of flood control, leading to an internal stack overflow in the HCI Modbus TCP function. The impact is rated as "HIGH" on availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-2081

The technical details include the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows remote attackers to reboot the RTU500 CMU by sending crafted messages due to the lack of flood control.

Affected Systems and Versions

Versions 12.0.1.0 to 12.7.1.0, 13.2.1.0, and 13.3.1.0 of the RTU500 series CMU firmware are affected.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the vulnerability by sending specially crafted messages to the RTU500, triggering a stack overflow in the TCP function.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2022-2081, certain immediate steps can be taken along with long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable the HCI Modbus TCP function, implement network segmentation, and apply vendor patches and updates.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update firmware, conduct security assessments, and monitor network traffic for suspicious activity.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by Hitachi Energy to address the vulnerability.