CVE-2021-35528 in Energy Retail Operations
Summary
by MITRE • 11/17/2021
Improper Access Control vulnerability in the application authentication and authorization of Hitachi Energy Retail Operations, Counterparty Settlement and Billing (CSB) allows an attacker to execute a modified signed Java Applet JAR file. A successful exploitation may lead to data extraction or modification of data inside the application. This issue affects: Hitachi Energy Retail Operations 5.7.3 and prior versions. Hitachi Energy Counterparty Settlement and Billing (CSB) 5.7.3 prior versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2021
The CVE-2021-35528 vulnerability represents a critical improper access control flaw within Hitachi Energy's retail operations and counterparty settlement and billing systems. This weakness specifically targets the application's authentication and authorization mechanisms, creating a significant security gap that malicious actors can exploit to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data and operations. The vulnerability affects both the Retail Operations platform and the Counterparty Settlement and Billing system, with all versions prior to 5.7.3 being susceptible to this particular threat. The flaw manifests through the improper handling of signed Java Applet JAR files, which creates an avenue for attackers to execute modified code within the application environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of signed Java applets within the application's security framework. When a Java Applet JAR file is properly signed, the system should verify the digital signature and ensure that the code has not been tampered with before execution. However, in affected versions of the Hitachi Energy systems, this validation process is insufficient or bypassed entirely, allowing attackers to modify existing signed applets or create new ones that can execute with elevated privileges. This weakness directly relates to CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization in software systems, and specifically falls under the category of insufficient access control mechanisms. The vulnerability creates a dangerous precedent where legitimate security measures intended to protect against malicious code execution become ineffective due to flawed implementation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform data extraction and modification operations within the application environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially access sensitive financial data, manipulate billing records, alter settlement calculations, or modify customer information. The implications are particularly severe given that these systems handle critical retail operations and financial settlement processes that directly impact business operations and regulatory compliance. The ability to modify data within these systems could lead to significant financial losses, regulatory violations, and damage to customer trust. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the execution of applications through Java applets, and T1566, which addresses social engineering through spearphishing with malicious attachments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-35528 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to version 5.7.3 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes to address the improper access control issue. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring of Java applet execution within their environments and establish strict policies for code signing verification. Network segmentation and least privilege access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other legacy systems and ensure that proper access control mechanisms are in place. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security measures and proper code validation processes, particularly in financial and operational systems where data integrity is paramount. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting solutions and enhanced logging mechanisms to detect unauthorized code execution attempts.