CVE-2024-2097 is a remote code execution vulnerability identified in Hitachi Energy's MACH SCM Server version 4.0. The flaw arises from improper handling of LINQ queries sent by authenticated clients to the List control component of the SCM server. An attacker with low-level privileges can craft a malicious LINQ query that triggers arbitrary code execution on the server hosting the SCM application. Additionally, if the SCMArchivedEventViewerTool is installed on the same system, the attacker can execute arbitrary code there as well, expanding the attack surface. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code), indicating that the system does not adequately validate or sanitize input that is used to generate code dynamically. The CVSS 3.1 score of 7.7 (high severity) reflects that the attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requires low attack complexity (AC:H), privileges (PR:L), but no user interaction (UI:N), and impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a high level (C:H, I:H, A:H). No public exploits are known at this time, but the vulnerability's nature makes it a critical concern for environments where the MACH SCM Server is deployed, particularly in energy sector infrastructure where Hitachi Energy products are common. The vulnerability was published on March 27, 2024, and no patches were listed at the time of reporting, indicating the need for immediate attention from affected organizations.

The exploitation of CVE-2024-2097 can lead to full compromise of the MACH SCM Server, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely. This jeopardizes the confidentiality of sensitive operational data, the integrity of control and monitoring processes, and the availability of critical energy management systems. For European organizations, particularly those in the energy sector, this could disrupt grid management, cause operational outages, or enable further lateral movement within the network. The ability to execute code on systems running SCMArchivedEventViewerTool further increases risk by expanding the attack surface. Given the critical role of energy infrastructure in Europe, successful exploitation could have cascading effects on national security, economic stability, and public safety. The requirement for authentication limits exposure but does not eliminate risk, as insider threats or compromised credentials could be leveraged. The lack of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation but also underscores the urgency to patch and monitor.

1. Monitor Hitachi Energy's official channels closely for the release of security patches addressing CVE-2024-2097 and apply them immediately upon availability. 2. Restrict network access to the MACH SCM Server to trusted administrative networks only, employing network segmentation and firewall rules to limit exposure. 3. Enforce strong authentication mechanisms and regularly audit user accounts with access to the SCM server to reduce the risk of credential compromise. 4. Implement application-level input validation and monitoring to detect and block suspicious LINQ queries or abnormal query patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. 5. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on the SCM environment to identify and remediate potential weaknesses. 6. Isolate systems running SCMArchivedEventViewerTool or consider removing this tool if not essential, to reduce the attack surface. 7. Enhance logging and alerting on the SCM server for unusual activities, especially those related to query execution and code invocation. 8. Develop and test incident response plans specific to SCM server compromise scenarios to ensure rapid containment and recovery.