Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This vulnerability means SDM600 backup files may store sensitive information without encryption. A local, low-privileged attacker could access those backups and learn information that should be protected. It is not described as remotely exploitable in the provided sources.
Executive priority
Treat as a moderate-priority OT data exposure issue. Prioritize faster where SDM600 hosts are shared, backups are broadly accessible, or local account controls are weak.
Technical view
CVE-2021-35526 is CWE-312 in Hitachi ABB Power Grids System Data Manager SDM600 1.2 before FP2 HF6, build 1.2.14002.257. The CVSS 3.1 vector is local, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, with limited confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to organizations running SDM600 1.2 before FP2 HF6 where local users or compromised accounts can reach backup files.
Exploitation context
The sources do not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. The CVSS vector requires local access and low privileges, so risk depends heavily on workstation/server access controls and backup handling.
Researcher notes
The evidence supports sensitive data exposure through unencrypted backups, not remote code execution. The provided sources do not include exploit details, public exploitation evidence, or product impact beyond SDM600 1.2 before FP2 HF6.
Mitigation direction
- Update SDM600 1.2 to FP2 HF6 build 1.2.14002.257 or later vendor-approved release.
- Review ABB and CISA advisory guidance before making operational technology changes.
- Restrict backup file access to required administrators and service accounts only.
- Store backups on protected media or repositories with encryption and access logging.
- Remove unnecessary local accounts from SDM600 hosts and related backup locations.
Validation and detection
- Inventory SDM600 installations and record exact version and build numbers.
- Confirm whether any SDM600 1.2 instance is below FP2 HF6 build 1.2.14002.257.
- Review backup file locations and verify restrictive file permissions.
- Check whether backup repositories enforce encryption and access logging.
- Validate remediation first in an OT-safe maintenance or test environment.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
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ATT&CK lookup starting points
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CWE-312: Exact CWE lookup
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Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-35526 mapping review
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Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 6.3 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L23.7Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
6.3MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://search.abb.com/library/Download.aspx?utm_campaign=&utm_content=2021.08_5051_Cybersecurity%20Advisory%3A&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua&DocumentID=9AKK107992A4700&LanguageCode=en&DocumentPartId=&Action=Launch&elqTrackId=ba79ef3d8aec4a4fad6c0cbe06d33d6c&elq=1bda419954724e908db108def16646a5&elqaid=3638&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ics/advisories/icsa-21-250-02CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information
Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.