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CVE-2021-22681

Published: Mar 3, 2021Updated: Mar 6, 2026 Sources: CVE List NVD BDU csafCWE-522
NVD MITRE
9.8CVSSCRITICAL
EPSS Score
25.5%
Top 2.3%
CISA KEV
Active Exploitation
Since Mar 5, 2026
Exploits
No Known Exploits
Remediation
Patch Available

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.

CVSS Vector Breakdown

AV:NAC:LPR:NUI:NS:UC:HI:HA:H
Exploitability
AV:NAttack Vector
Network
AC:LAttack Complexity
Low
PR:NPrivileges Required
None
UI:NUser Interaction
None
Scope
S:UScope
Unchanged
Impact
C:HConfidentiality
High
I:HIntegrity
High
A:HAvailability
High
Open in CVSS calculator →

Weaknesses

CWE-522

Affected Products

factorytalk services platformrockwellautomationICS / OT / IoT
rslogix 5000rockwellautomationICS / OT / IoT
studio 5000 logix designerrockwellautomationICS / OT / IoT
Rockwell Automation Studio 5000 Logix Designer, RSLogix 5000, Logix Controllersn/a
CompactLogix 1768Rockwell Automation Inc.ICS / OT / IoT
rockwellautomationcommercialUSICS / OT / IoTaka rockwell automation
rockwell automation inc.commercialUSICS / OT / IoTaka rockwell automation arena, thinmanager, guardlogix 5580
and 18 more affected products View all →

Attack Graph

Products CVE Techniques Tactics

Click technique nodes to view MITRE ATT&CK details. Scroll to zoom, drag to pan.

Exploitability

CISA Known Exploited Vulnerability
Added to KEV:Mar 5, 2026
Remediation due:Mar 26, 2026

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.

Official Patch Available

MITRE ATT&CK

2 techniques
Credential Access
View detailed technique mapping

References

https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ics/advisories/icsa-21-056-03
us-cert.cisa.gov
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-22681
cisa.gov
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cisagov/CSAF/develop/csaf_files/OT/white/2021/icsa-21-056-03.json
raw.githubusercontent.com
and 11 more references View all →

Timeline

Published
Mar 3, 2021
Added to CISA KEV
Mar 5, 2026
Last Updated
Mar 6, 2026
News mentions
1

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