Protecting Photovoltaic Monitoring Systems from Cyber Attacks: Best Practices and Security Measures

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Photovoltaic (PV) monitoring and diagnostic systems play a crucial role in the management of renewable energy production units. However, security researchers are sounding the alarm that tens of thousands of these systems are vulnerable to cyber attacks due to their exposure on the public web. In this blog post, we will explore the risks associated with these exposed systems and provide recommendations to enhance their security and protect against potential hackers.

1. The Scope of the Issue: Cyble's threat analysts recently discovered 134,634 internet-exposed PV products from various vendors, including Solar-Log, Danfoss Solar Web Server, SMA Sunny Webbox, and more. Although not all these assets are necessarily vulnerable or misconfigured, unauthenticated visitors can still access sensitive information and settings, potentially increasing the risk of attacks. Furthermore, vulnerabilities and proof of concept exploit code have been identified for some of these systems, increasing the likelihood of exploitation, especially on older firmware versions.
2. Recent Exploitations and Botnet Activity: Recent incidents have demonstrated the real-world risks associated with exposed PV systems. For instance, hackers have targeted vulnerable devices to add them to botnets. CVE-2022-29303, an unauthenticated remote command injection vulnerability in Contec's SolarView system, was exploited by a new variant of the Mirai botnet. It's essential to note that this vulnerability is not an isolated case, as other unauthenticated remote code execution vulnerabilities have also been discovered, such as CVE-2023-23333.
3. Mitigating Risks and Enhancing Security: To minimize the potential for cyber attacks on PV monitoring systems, administrators should implement the following best practices:
   a. Strong and Unique Credentials: Ensure that access to the system interfaces is protected by strong, unique passwords. Avoid using default or easily guessable credentials, as they can make unauthorized access easier for attackers.
   b. Multi-Factor Authentication: Where available, activate multi-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security. This authentication method requires users to provide additional verification, such as a unique code sent to their mobile devices, along with their credentials.
   c. Regular System Updates: Keep the PV systems up to date with the latest firmware versions and security patches. Regularly check for updates from the system vendors and apply them promptly to address any known vulnerabilities.
   d. Network Segregation: Segregate the PV monitoring equipment to its own network, isolated from other critical infrastructure. This practice helps minimize the potential impact of a successful breach by limiting attackers' lateral movement.

​Conclusion:
The exposure of tens of thousands of PV monitoring systems on the public web poses a significant risk to the renewable energy sector. Security measures such as strong credentials, multi-factor authentication, regular updates, and network segregation can significantly enhance the protection of these systems against potential cyber attacks. By implementing these best practices, PV system administrators can safeguard their infrastructure, mitigate the risks, and contribute to the overall security of the renewable energy industry.

At Armoryze, we understand the critical importance of securing your infrastructure against cyber threats. Our risk-based vulnerability management service provides comprehensive solutions to identify, prioritize, and remediate vulnerabilities in your systems. With our expertise and cutting-edge technology, we help organizations proactively manage their security posture and stay ahead of potential risks.
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Don't leave your PV monitoring systems vulnerable to attacks. Contact Armoryze today to learn more about how our services can help protect your infrastructure and ensure the uninterrupted operation of your renewable energy production units.