CVE-2025-7740 identifies a vulnerability classified under CWE-1392, which pertains to the use of default credentials in Hitachi Energy's SuprOS product, specifically version 9.0.0. The vulnerability arises because an administrative account with default credentials is created during the product deployment phase and remains active without mandatory credential changes. An attacker with authenticated local access and low privileges can exploit this to escalate privileges by using the default admin account. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates that the attack vector is local (AV:L), with low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring privileges (PR:L) but no user interaction (UI:N). The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (VC:H, VI:H, VA:H), and the scope is high (SC:H), meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially compromised component. This vulnerability is particularly critical in environments where SuprOS manages or monitors energy infrastructure, as unauthorized admin access could disrupt operations or lead to data breaches. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the presence of default credentials is a well-known risk factor that can be exploited by insiders or attackers who gain local access. The vulnerability was reserved in mid-2025 and published in early 2026, indicating recent discovery and disclosure. The lack of available patches at the time of reporting necessitates immediate compensating controls.

For European organizations, especially those operating critical energy infrastructure or industrial control systems, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized administrative access, enabling attackers to manipulate system configurations, disrupt energy distribution, or exfiltrate sensitive operational data. The high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability means that successful exploitation could cause service outages, safety hazards, and regulatory non-compliance. Given the strategic importance of energy infrastructure in Europe and the increasing targeting of such sectors by threat actors, this vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks or insider threats. The requirement for local authenticated access somewhat limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, as attackers may gain initial footholds through other means. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the high severity score underscores the urgency of mitigation.

European organizations using Hitachi Energy SuprOS 9.0.0 should immediately identify all instances of the product within their environment. The primary mitigation step is to change all default administrative credentials created during deployment to strong, unique passwords. Implement strict access controls to limit local authenticated access only to trusted personnel. Employ multi-factor authentication (MFA) where possible for administrative accounts. Monitor logs for any unusual local authentication attempts or privilege escalations. Network segmentation should be enforced to isolate SuprOS systems from less secure network zones. Since no patches are currently available, consider deploying host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS) to detect suspicious activities. Regularly audit account configurations and disable any unused default accounts. Engage with Hitachi Energy for updates on patches or security advisories. Finally, incorporate this vulnerability into incident response plans and conduct staff training on insider threat awareness.