Rockwell Multiple Products Insufficient Protected Credentials
CVE-2021-22681 is a critical-severity insufficiently protected credentials vulnerability in Rockwell Automation Studio 5000 Logix Designer, RSLogix 5000, Logix Controllers, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Rockwell Automation Studio 5000 Logix Designer, RSLogix 5000, Logix Controllers versions: RSLogix 5000 Versions 16 through 20; Studio 5000 Logix Designer: Versions 21 and later; CompactLogix 1768, 1769, 5370, 5380, 5480, and others listed below. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on March 5, 2026, which means attacks have been observed in the wild.
Attackers are already exploiting this vulnerability, according to CISA.
What to do
- Check which version of Rockwell Automation Studio 5000 Logix Designer, RSLogix 5000, Logix Controllers you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- CISA's required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockwell Automation Studio 5000 Logix Designer, RSLogix 5000, Logix Controllers | Rockwell Automation Studio 5000 Logix Designer, RSLogix 5000, Logix Controllers | RSLogix 5000 Versions 16 through 20; Studio 5000 Logix Designer: Versions 21 and later; CompactLogix 1768, 1769, 5370, 5380, 5480; ControlLogix 5550, 5560, 5570, 5580; DriveLogix 5560, 5730, 1794-L34; Compact GuardLogix 5370, 5380; GuardLogix 5570, 5580; SoftLogix 5800 | Not stated |
| Rockwell Automation | Factorytalk Services Platform | 2.10 and later | Not stated |
| Rockwell Automation | Rslogix 5000 | 16 through 20 | Not stated |
| Rockwell Automation | Studio 5000 Logix Designer | 21.0 and later | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | CISA (ADP) |
| CVSS 2.0 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
Official description
Rockwell Automation Studio 5000 Logix Designer Versions 21 and later, and RSLogix 5000 Versions 16 through 20 use a key to verify Logix controllers are communicating with Rockwell Automation CompactLogix 1768, 1769, 5370, 5380, 5480: ControlLogix 5550, 5560, 5570, 5580; DriveLogix 5560, 5730, 1794-L34; Compact GuardLogix 5370, 5380; GuardLogix 5570, 5580; SoftLogix 5800. Rockwell Automation Studio 5000 Logix Designer Versions 21 and later and RSLogix 5000: Versions 16 through 20 are vulnerable because an unauthenticated attacker could bypass this verification mechanism and authenticate with Rockwell Automation CompactLogix 1768, 1769, 5370, 5380, 5480: ControlLogix 5550, 5560, 5570, 5580; DriveLogix 5560, 5730, 1794-L34; Compact GuardLogix 5370, 5380; GuardLogix 5570, 5580; SoftLogix 5800.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Insufficiently Protected Credentials
The product transmits or stores authentication credentials, but it uses an insecure method that is susceptible to unauthorized interception and/or retrieval.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an appropriate security mechanism to protect the credentials.
- Make appropriate use of cryptography to protect the credentials.
- Use industry standards to protect the credentials (e.g. LDAP, keystore, etc.).
More Insufficiently Protected Credentials vulnerabilities (CWE-522)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: active, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue.
- Deadline for US federal agencies to remediate, set by CISA.
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
- us-cert.cisa.gov/ics/advisories/icsa-21-056-03Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-22681US Government Resource
Recent Insufficiently Protected Credentials vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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