CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2024-3980NVD status: Analyzed

MicroSCADA X SYS600: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory

CVE-2024-3980 is a high-severity improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory vulnerability in MicroSCADA X SYS600 from Hitachi Energy, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected MicroSCADA X SYS600 versions: 10.0 through 10.5. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.62% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 50% of scored CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of MicroSCADA X SYS600 you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Read the advisory on publisher.hitachienergy.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
Hitachi EnergyMicroSCADA X SYS60010.0 through 10.5Not stated
Hitachi EnergyMicroSCADA Pro SYS6009.4 FP2 HF1 through 9.4 FP2 HF5; 9.4 FP1Not stated
Hitachienergymicroscada_sys60010.0 through 10.5Not stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
LowA basic user account is enough.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.19.9CriticalCNA (hitachienergy.com)
CVSS 3.18.8HighNVD

Official description

The MicroSCADA Pro/X SYS600 product allows an authenticated user input to control or influence paths or file names that are used in filesystem operations. If exploited the vulnerability allows the attacker to access or modify system files or other files that are critical to the application.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory

The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks entirely. Then, these modified values would be submitted to the server.
  • Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid.
  • Use an application firewall that can detect attacks against this weakness. It can be beneficial in cases in which the code cannot be fixed (because it is controlled by a third party), as an emergency prevention measure while more comprehensive software assurance measures are applied, or to provide defense in depth.

More Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory vulnerabilities (CWE-22)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in MicroSCADA X SYS600

All MicroSCADA X SYS600 vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory vulnerabilities

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