46 New Vulnerabilities in Solar Inverter Systems Allow Attackers to Tamper with Settings

Forescout Vedere Labs has uncovered 46 new vulnerabilities in solar power systems, primarily affecting inverters from three leading manufacturers Sungrow, Growatt, and SMA.

These flaws, if exploited, could enable attackers to manipulate inverter settings, disrupt power grids, and compromise user privacy.

The research highlights that 80% of vulnerabilities disclosed in solar systems over the past three years were rated high or critical severity, with 30% scoring the maximum CVSS severity (9.8–10), allowing full system takeover.

Attack Scenarios and Mitigation

Exploiting these vulnerabilities could lead to large-scale grid destabilization.

For instance, attackers could hijack Growatt inverters via cloud-based takeovers or compromise Sungrow devices by exploiting insecure communication dongles.

Coordinated attacks could force grid shutdowns or blackouts, impacting critical infrastructure like hospitals and businesses.

Vendors have patched the reported issues, but Forescout emphasizes the need for stricter procurement standards, network segmentation, and continuous monitoring to mitigate risks.

Over half of global solar inverter manufacturers (53%) and storage providers (58%) are based in China, raising concerns about foreign-made components’ dominance in critical infrastructure.

The report urges utilities and regulators to address these systemic security gaps to prevent potential nation-state threats.

The findings underscore the urgent need to prioritize cybersecurity in renewable energy systems as they become integral to global power grids.

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