CVE-2017-9856 in Solar System
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in SMA Solar Technology products. Sniffed passwords from SMAdata2+ communication can be decrypted very easily. The passwords are "encrypted" using a very simple encryption algorithm. This enables an attacker to find the plaintext passwords and authenticate to the device. NOTE: the vendor reports that only Sunny Boy TLST-21 and TL-21 and Sunny Tripower TL-10 and TL-30 could potentially be affected
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9856 represents a critical cryptographic weakness in SMA Solar Technology products that directly compromises the security of industrial energy management systems. This flaw specifically affects the SMAdata2+ communication protocol used by certain solar inverter models, creating a pathway for unauthorized access through the interception and decryption of authentication credentials. The vulnerability stems from the implementation of a trivial encryption algorithm that fails to provide meaningful cryptographic protection for sensitive authentication data transmitted between devices and monitoring systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of cryptographic security principles and falls under CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak or broken cryptographic algorithms. The encryption mechanism employed by SMA Solar Technology products uses a simplistic approach that can be easily reversed by attackers who intercept network traffic containing the encrypted passwords. This weakness creates an immediate and severe risk for affected systems, as the plaintext credentials can be readily recovered without requiring significant computational resources or advanced exploitation techniques. The vulnerability specifically impacts the Sunny Boy TLST-21 and TL-21 models along with the Sunny Tripower TL-10 and TL-30 series, indicating a targeted scope but still representing a substantial security risk for industrial solar installations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to gain full administrative access to affected solar inverter systems. This level of access could potentially allow malicious actors to modify system configurations, disable security features, manipulate energy generation data, or even cause operational disruptions in solar power installations. The attack vector relies on network sniffing capabilities, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network traffic is not properly secured or monitored. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1566 for credential access through network sniffing, making it a particularly attractive target for both insider threats and external attackers seeking to compromise industrial control systems.
The security implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation in industrial IoT devices and energy management systems. Organizations deploying SMA Solar Technology products must immediately assess their network security posture and implement additional protective measures such as network segmentation, encrypted communication channels, and regular monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with inadequate cryptographic protection in industrial environments and the potential for cascading security failures when basic security principles are overlooked. Mitigation strategies should include immediate firmware updates where available, network traffic encryption implementation, and comprehensive security audits of industrial control systems to identify similar cryptographic weaknesses that may exist in other components of the energy infrastructure.