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The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released an urgent alert regarding a severe flaw in SunPower PVS6 solar power devices, potentially permitting cybercriminals to obtain total control over the systems.
This issue, designated as CVE-2025-9696, arises from the presence of hardcoded credentials within the device’s BluetoothLE interface, posing a considerable risk to solar energy infrastructures globally.
The flaw impacts SunPower PVS6 versions 2025.06 build 61839 and earlier, with a CVSS v4 rating of 9.4, highlighting its critical nature.
Cybercriminals within Bluetooth range may exploit this vulnerability to gain access to the device’s servicing interface, allowing them to update firmware, halt power generation, adjust grid parameters, establish SSH tunnels, modify firewall settings, and control linked devices.
CISA analysts discovered that this vulnerability takes advantage of hardcoded encryption values and publicly visible protocol specifics in the BluetoothLE implementation.
The design oversight converts what ought to be a secure maintenance interface into an open portal for malicious agents. This attack vector requires only proximal network access with minimal complexity, rendering it especially alarming for solar setups in densely populated regions.
Technical Attack Mechanism and Exploitation
The vulnerability capitalizes on the inherent flaw in the PVS6’s authentication framework, where immutable credentials offer a steady entry point for attackers.
Once a hacker forms a Bluetooth connection utilizing these hardcoded credentials, they acquire administrative rights equivalent to those of legitimate service staff.
The exploitation phase encompasses reverse-engineering the publicly available protocol documentation to ascertain the authentication sequence.
# Simplified representation of the vulnerability
bluetooth_connection = establish_ble_connection(target_device)
if authenticate_with_hardcoded_key(DEFAULT_SERVICE_KEY):
admin_access = True
execute_firmware_replacement()
modify_power_settings()The sophistication of the attack lies in its straightforwardness—no intricate exploits or zero-day strategies are necessary.
Attackers might potentially create automated tools to search for vulnerable devices and systematically compromise them.
The repercussions of the vulnerability reach beyond singular devices, as compromised units may serve as pivot points to access broader energy infrastructure networks.
Importantly, SunPower has yet to respond to CISA’s attempts for coordination, leaving users without official patches.
CISA advises implementing network isolation, utilizing VPNs for remote accessibility, and deploying thorough monitoring systems to identify unauthorized access attempts.
Organizations should prioritize upgrading affected devices once patches are available and consider temporarily deactivating Bluetooth functionality where operationally practical.
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