CVE-2024-2097 is a remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability identified in Hitachi Energy's MACH SCM Server version 4.0. The flaw arises from improper handling of LINQ queries submitted by authenticated clients to the List control component. An attacker with low-level privileges can craft a malicious LINQ query that triggers execution of arbitrary code on the SCM server. Additionally, if the SCMArchivedEventViewerTool is installed on the same system, the attacker can execute code there as well, potentially expanding the attack surface. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code), indicating that user-supplied input is improperly sanitized or validated before being executed. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.5, reflecting high severity due to network attack vector (AV:N), requiring low privileges (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), and impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability's nature makes it a critical concern for environments relying on MACH SCM Server for supply chain management or operational control. The lack of an official patch at the time of publication necessitates immediate risk mitigation and monitoring.

For European organizations, especially those in energy, manufacturing, and critical infrastructure sectors that deploy Hitachi Energy MACH SCM Server, this vulnerability could lead to severe operational disruptions. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely, potentially leading to data theft, manipulation of supply chain data, disruption of operational processes, or deployment of ransomware. The compromise of SCMArchivedEventViewerTool further broadens the attack scope, increasing the risk of lateral movement within networks. Given the critical nature of energy infrastructure in Europe and the reliance on Hitachi Energy products, this vulnerability could impact service availability and safety, causing cascading effects on national grids and industrial operations. Confidentiality breaches could expose sensitive operational data, while integrity violations might result in incorrect supply chain decisions or control commands, posing safety hazards.

Until an official patch is released, European organizations should implement strict access controls to limit authenticated access to the MACH SCM Server, ideally restricting it to trusted internal networks and VPNs. Network segmentation should isolate the SCM server and SCMArchivedEventViewerTool from broader enterprise networks to reduce attack surface. Implement monitoring and alerting for unusual LINQ query patterns or unexpected activity on the SCM server. Conduct regular audits of user privileges to ensure only necessary accounts have access, minimizing the risk from low-privilege attackers. Employ application-layer firewalls or web application firewalls (WAFs) capable of detecting and blocking malicious LINQ queries if feasible. Prepare incident response plans specific to this vulnerability, including containment and recovery procedures. Once patches become available from Hitachi Energy, prioritize their deployment in all affected environments. Additionally, consider engaging with Hitachi Energy support for any recommended interim mitigations or updates.