CVE-2025-64121: Nuvation Energy MSC Auth Bypass Flaw

CVE-2025-64121 Overview

CVE-2025-64121 is an Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel vulnerability affecting the Nuvation Energy Multi-Stack Controller (MSC). This critical vulnerability allows attackers to completely bypass authentication mechanisms, potentially gaining unauthorized access to industrial energy management systems. The Multi-Stack Controller is used in battery energy storage systems, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for critical infrastructure environments.

Critical Impact

Complete authentication bypass enabling unauthorized access to industrial energy storage controllers with potential for full system compromise and manipulation of energy management functions.

Affected Products

• Nuvation Energy Multi-Stack Controller (MSC) versions 2.3.8 through 2.5.0
• Battery energy storage systems utilizing vulnerable MSC firmware
• Industrial control environments with network-accessible MSC deployments

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-01-02 - CVE-2025-64121 published to NVD
• 2026-01-08 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-64121

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability falls under CWE-288 (Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel), indicating that the Multi-Stack Controller contains an alternative authentication path that can be exploited to circumvent normal security controls. The vulnerability is network-accessible with no user interaction required, making it highly dangerous in environments where the MSC is exposed to untrusted networks.

The authentication bypass allows attackers to gain access to the controller without providing valid credentials. In industrial control system environments, this could enable unauthorized modification of battery storage parameters, monitoring data manipulation, or disruption of energy management operations.

Root Cause

The root cause stems from an alternate authentication channel that does not properly enforce the same security controls as the primary authentication mechanism. This architectural flaw allows attackers to discover and exploit the alternate path to gain unauthorized access to the system without valid credentials.

Attack Vector

The attack can be executed remotely over the network without requiring any privileges or user interaction. An attacker with network access to the vulnerable Multi-Stack Controller can exploit the alternate authentication path to bypass security controls entirely. The attack complexity is low, meaning exploitation does not require specialized conditions or significant attacker skill.

Given that no verified code examples are available for this vulnerability, the exploitation technique involves identifying and accessing the alternate authentication channel present in the MSC firmware versions 2.3.8 through 2.5.0. Refer to the Dragos Security Advisory for additional technical details on the vulnerability mechanism.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-64121

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected administrative sessions or configuration changes without corresponding authentication logs
• Network traffic to the MSC from unauthorized or unexpected source IP addresses
• Access to controller functions without proper credential validation events in system logs

Detection Strategies

• Monitor authentication logs for sessions that bypass normal credential validation workflows
• Implement network traffic analysis to detect unusual access patterns to MSC management interfaces
• Deploy intrusion detection rules targeting known alternate authentication path exploitation patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable comprehensive logging on all Multi-Stack Controller instances and forward logs to a centralized SIEM
• Implement alerting for any configuration changes or administrative actions on MSC devices
• Conduct regular audits of access logs to identify potential unauthorized access attempts

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-64121

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade all Nuvation Energy Multi-Stack Controller instances to version 2.5.1 or later immediately
• Isolate vulnerable MSC devices from untrusted networks until patching is complete
• Review access logs for signs of unauthorized access or compromise prior to patching
• Implement network segmentation to restrict access to MSC management interfaces

Patch Information

Nuvation Energy has addressed this vulnerability in Multi-Stack Controller firmware version 2.5.1. Organizations should upgrade from any affected version (2.3.8 through 2.5.0) to the patched release. Contact Nuvation Energy support for firmware update procedures and availability. Additional information may be available through the Dragos Security Advisory.

Workarounds

• Implement strict network access controls to limit connections to MSC devices to authorized management stations only
• Deploy firewall rules to block external network access to MSC management interfaces
• Enable any available multi-factor authentication mechanisms as an additional security layer
• Consider disabling remote management features until the patch can be applied

# Example network isolation configuration (firewall rules)
# Restrict MSC management interface access to authorized management network only
# Adjust IP ranges according to your environment

# Allow management access from trusted network
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -s 10.10.10.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -s 10.10.10.0/24 -j ACCEPT

# Block all other access to MSC management ports
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -j DROP