Overview
Multiple Rockwell products contain an insufficient protected credentials vulnerability. Studio 5000 Logix Designer software may allow a key to be discovered. This key is used to verify Logix controllers are communicating with Rockwell Automation design software. If successfully exploited, this vulnerability could allow an unauthorized application to connect with Logix controllers. To leverage this vulnerability, an unauthorized user would require network access to the controller.
https://support.rockwellautomation.com/app/answers/answer_view/a_id/1130301/~/cve-2021-22681%3A-authentication-bypass-vulnerability-found-in-logix-controllers- ; https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-advisories/icsa-21-056-03 ; https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-22681
Key Details
| Property | Value |
|---|
| CVE ID |
CVE-2021-22681 |
| Vendor / Product |
Rockwell — Multiple Products |
| NVD Published | 2021-03-03 |
| NVD Last Modified | 2026-03-06 |
| CVSS 3.1 Score | 9.8 |
| CVSS 3.1 Vector | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
| Severity | CRITICAL |
| CWE |
CWE-522
|
| CISA KEV Added | 2026-03-05 |
| CISA KEV Deadline | 2026-03-26 |
| Known Ransomware Use |
No |
Required Action
CISA BOD 22-01 Deadline: 2026-03-26.
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|
| 2026-03-05 | Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog |
| 2026-03-26 | CISA BOD 22-01 remediation deadline |