Full Report
View CSAF 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CVSS v4 8.6 ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity Vendor: Hitachi Energy Equipment: Relion 670/650/SAM600-IO Vulnerability: Improper Handling of Insufficient Privileges 2. RISK EVALUATION Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow anyone with user credentials to bypass the security controls enforced by the product. 3. TECHNICAL DETAILS 3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS Hitachi Energy reports the following products are affected: Relion 670/650 series: Version 2.2.0 all revisions Relion 670/650/SAM600-IO series: Version 2.2.1 all revisions up to but not including version 2.2.1.8. Relion 670 series: Version 2.2.2 all revisions up to but not including 2.2.2.5 Relion 670 series: Version 2.2.3 revisions up to 2.2.3.4 Relion 670/650 series Version 2.2.4 all revisions up to but not including version 2.2.4.3. Relion 670/650/SAM600-IO series: Version 2.2.5 up to revision 2.2.5.1 Relion 670/650 series: Version 2.1 all revisions up to but not including version 2.1.0.5 Relion 670 series: Version 2.0 all revisions up to but not including version 2.0.0.14. Relion 650 series: Version 1.3 all revisions up to but not including version 1.3.0.8. Relion 650 series: Version 1.2 all revisions Relion 650 series: Version 1.1 all revisions Relion 650 series: Version 1.0 all revisions 3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW 3.2.1 IMPROPER HANDLING OF INSUFFICIENT PRIVILEGES CWE-274 A vulnerability exists in the database schema inside the product. An attacker could exploit the vulnerability by gaining access to credentials of any account or to have access to a session ticket issued for an account. Then, through the configuration tool that accesses the proprietary Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) protocol (TCP 2102), the database table can be manipulated for privilege escalation, which then allows unauthorized modification or to permanently disabling of the device. CVE-2021-35534 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.2 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H). A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2021-35534. A base score of 8.6 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N). 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 recommended immediate actions for each affected version: Relion 650 series Version 2.2.1, Relion 670 series Version 2.2.1, SAM600-IO series Version 2.2.1: Update to Relion 670/650/SAM600-IO series Version 2.2.1.8. Relion 670 series Version 2.2.2: Update to Relion 670 series Version 2.2.2.5. Relion 670 series Version 2.2.3: Update to Relion 670 series Version 2.2.3.5. Relion 670 series Version 2.2.4, Relion 650 series Version 2.2.4: Update to Relion 670/650 series Version 2.2.4.3. Relion 670 series Version 2.2.5, Relion 670 series Version 2.2.5, SAM600-IO series Version 2.2.5: Update to Relion 670/650/SAM600-IO series Version 2.2.5.2. Relion 650 series Version 2.1.0, Relion 670 series Version 2.1.0: Update to Relion 670/650 series Version 2.1.0.5. Relion 670 series Version 2.0.0: Update to Relion 670/650 series Version 2.0.0.14. Relion 650 series Version 1.3.0.8: Update to Relion 650 series Version 1.3.0.8. Relion 670 series Version 2.2.0, Relion 650 series Version 1.1.0, Relion 650 series Version 1.0.0: Refer to the general mitigation factors below. Relion 650 series Version 1.2.0: Refer to the general mitigation factors below for the current mitigation strategy or upgrade to Relion 650 series Version 1.3. For more information see the associated Hitachi Energy PSIRT security advisory 8DBD000058 Cybersecurity Advisory - Insufficient Security Control Vulnerability in Hitachi Energy Relion 670/650/SAM600-IO series Products. Hitachi Energy recommends users implement recommended security practices and firewall configurations to help protect the process control network from attacks originating from outside the network. Process control systems should be physically protected from direct access by unauthorized personnel, have no direct connections to the Internet, and be separated from other networks by means of a firewall system with a minimal number of ports exposed. Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) protocol that is used for device configuration should be limited within the substation only. 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. CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability. 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. 5. UPDATE HISTORY March 06, 2025: Initial Publication
Analysis Summary
# Vulnerability: Privilege Escalation via Database Schema Manipulation
## CVE Details
- CVE ID: CVE-2021-35534
- CVSS Score: 8.6 (High) (Based on CVSS v4 score)
- CWE: Improper Handling of Insufficient Privileges
## Affected Systems
- Products: Hitachi Energy Relion 670 series, Relion 650 series, SAM600-IO series
- Versions:
- Relion 670/650/SAM600-IO: V2.2.0 (all revisions)
- Relion 670/650/SAM600-IO: V2.2.1 (up to V2.2.1.8 exclusive)
- Relion 670: V2.2.2 (up to V2.2.2.5 exclusive)
- Relion 670: V2.2.3 (up to V2.2.3.4)
- Relion 670/650: V2.2.4 (up to V2.2.4.3 exclusive)
- Relion 670/650/SAM600-IO: V2.2.5 (up to V2.2.5.1 exclusive)
- Relion 670/650: V2.1 (up to V2.1.0.5 exclusive)
- Relion 670: V2.0.0 (up to V2.0.0.14 exclusive)
- Relion 650: V1.3 (up to V1.3.0.8 exclusive)
- Relion 650: V1.2 (all revisions)
- Relion 650: V1.1 (all revisions)
- Relion 650: V1.0 (all revisions)
- Configurations: Requires any authenticated user credentials or access to a valid session ticket. Relies on access to the proprietary Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) protocol (TCP 2102).
## Vulnerability Description
A vulnerability exists within the product's database schema. An attacker who possesses user credentials or a valid session ticket can exploit this flaw by connecting to the configuration tool via the proprietary ODBC protocol (TCP port 2102). This allows the attacker to manipulate the database table, achieving privilege escalation. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized modification of settings or the permanent disabling of the device.
## Exploitation
- Status: No known public exploitation specifically targeting this vulnerability has been reported to CISA at this time.
- Complexity: Low (CVSS vector suggests AC:L - Attack Complexity Low)
- Attack Vector: Network (AV:N)
## Impact
- Confidentiality: High (C:H)
- Integrity: High (I:H) (Allows unauthorized modification or device disabling)
- Availability: High (A:H) (Allows permanent disabling of the device)
## Remediation
### Patches
Hitachi Energy has issued specific updates for various versions:
* **Relion 670/650/SAM600-IO V2.2.1**: Update to Version 2.2.1.8.
* **Relion 670 V2.2.2**: Update to Version 2.2.2.5.
* **Relion 670 V2.2.3**: Update to Version 2.2.3.5.
* **Relion 670/650 V2.2.4**: Update to Version 2.2.4.3.
* **Relion 670/650/SAM600-IO V2.2.5**: Update to Version 2.2.5.2.
* **Relion 650/670 V2.1.0**: Update to Version 2.1.0.5.
* **Relion 670 V2.0.0**: Update to Version 2.0.0.14.
* **Relion 650 V1.3.0**: Update to Relion 650 series Version 1.3.0.8 (Note: The article confusingly suggests updating 1.3.0.8 to 1.3.0.8, users should verify the correct successor for their specific sub-version if they are at 1.3.0.8).
For unpatched legacy versions (V2.2.0, V1.2.0, V1.1.0, V1.0.0), refer to the general mitigation factors. For V1.2.0, an immediate upgrade to V1.3.0.8 is recommended if patching directly is not possible.
### Workarounds
General mitigation factors recommended by Hitachi Energy:
1. Implement recommended security practices and firewall configurations to protect the process control network from external access.
2. Physically protect process control systems from unauthorized personnel access.
3. Ensure process control systems have **no direct connections to the Internet**.
4. Separate control networks from other networks using a firewall system, exposing a minimal number of ports.
5. **Limit access to the ODBC protocol (TCP 2102) strictly within the substation environment.**
6. Prohibit Internet surfing, instant messaging, or email usage on process control systems.
7. Carefully scan portable computers and removable storage media for malware before connecting them to the control system.
## Detection
- Indicators of compromise (IOCs) are not detailed, but monitoring for unauthorized connection attempts or configuration changes via TCP 2102 is recommended.
- Detection methods should focus on Layered Security/Defense-in-Depth strategies as outlined by CISA for ICS environments.
## References
- Vendor Advisory: https://publisher.hitachienergy.com/preview?DocumentID=8DBD000058&LanguageCode=en&DocumentPartId=&Action=launch
- CISA ICS Webpage: https://www.cisa.gov/topics/industrial-control-systems
- CISA Defensive Reading: https://us-cert.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/recommended_practices/NCCIC_ICS-CERT_Defense_in_Depth_2016_S508C.pdf
- CISA ICS Best Practices: https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Cybersecurity_Best_Practices_for_Industrial_Control_Systems.pdf
- CISA ICS Tip: https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ics/tips/ICS-TIP-12-146-01B