Persistent code execution via unsigned encrypted firmware
Published Mar 9, 2022 · Updated May 29, 2026
Improper firmware authentication in Schneider Electric Smart-UPS and SmartConnect UPS devices allows attackers to install malicious system images. The updater decrypts firmware with a model-wide symmetric key extracted from a device but performs no cryptographic signature check before accepting the image. A leaked key and an available SmartConnect, network-card, or USB update path are required, after which malicious firmware can persistently change UPS behavior.
Summary
What happened
Improper firmware authentication in Schneider Electric Smart-UPS and SmartConnect UPS devices allows attackers to install malicious system images. The updater decrypts firmware with a model-wide symmetric key extracted from a device but performs no cryptographic signature check before accepting the image. A leaked key and an available SmartConnect, network-card, or USB update path are required, after which malicious firmware can persistently change UPS behavior.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2022-0715
- Published
- Mar 9, 2022
- Updated
- May 29, 2026
- Vendor
- Distributed Data Systems
- Product
- APC Smart-UPS
- Classifications
- CWE-287, T1601.001
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Mar 9, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- May 29, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=SCL Series
- Affected versionversion=SMC Series
- Affected versionversion=SMT Series
- Affected versionversion=SMX Series
- Affected versionversion=SRT Series
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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