CVE-2025-27257 in N60 Multilin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/10/2025
Insufficient Verification of Data Authenticity vulnerability in GE Vernova UR IED family devices allows an authenticated user to install a modified firmware. The firmware signature verification is enforced only on the client-side dedicated software Enervista UR Setup, allowing the integration check to be bypassed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2025
The CVE-2025-27257 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in GE Vernova UR IED family devices that fundamentally undermines the integrity of the firmware update process. This vulnerability falls under the category of insufficient verification of data authenticity, a weakness that can have severe operational consequences for industrial control systems. The affected devices are part of the UR IED family, which are widely deployed in critical infrastructure environments for power system protection and monitoring. These devices are designed to protect electrical power systems from faults and ensure reliable operation of the grid, making any security weakness particularly concerning from a cybersecurity perspective.
The technical flaw resides in the firmware signature verification mechanism that is implemented exclusively on the client-side software known as Enervista UR Setup. This client-side enforcement creates a dangerous attack surface where an authenticated user can bypass the integrity checks that should normally prevent unauthorized firmware modifications. The vulnerability stems from the design decision to rely solely on client-side verification rather than implementing robust server-side validation or hardware-based authentication mechanisms. This architectural weakness allows an attacker who has gained authenticated access to the system to manipulate firmware images without detection, as the signature verification process can be circumvented through client-side manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially compromising the entire power system protection infrastructure. An attacker with authenticated access could install malicious firmware that could alter the device's behavior, disable protective functions, or create backdoors for persistent access. This capability directly violates the principles of integrity and authenticity that are fundamental to industrial control systems security. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the firmware level, meaning that any modifications would persist across device reboots and could remain undetected for extended periods. This represents a significant threat to the reliability and safety of power grid operations, as the affected devices are critical for fault detection and system protection.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-347, which specifically addresses insufficient verification of data authenticity, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1547.001 for the establishment of persistence through firmware manipulation. Organizations deploying GE Vernova UR IED devices should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to limit access to these devices, enhanced monitoring of firmware update activities, and regular security assessments of the Enervista UR Setup software. Additionally, the implementation of hardware-based security measures such as secure boot mechanisms and cryptographic attestation should be considered. The affected devices require immediate firmware updates from GE Vernova, and organizations should conduct thorough risk assessments to determine if any unauthorized firmware modifications have occurred. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of defense-in-depth strategies for industrial control systems, where multiple layers of security are necessary to protect against sophisticated attacks targeting critical infrastructure components.