CVE-2021-22681 Rockwell Multiple Products Insufficient Protected Credentials
An unauthenticated attacker can bypass verification mechanisms to authenticate with Rockwell Automation Logix controllers, potentially gaining unauthorized control.
- Exploited in the wild
- Since 5 Mar 2026
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2021-22681?
CVE-2021-22681 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in Rockwell Automation Studio 5000 Logix Designer, RSLogix 5000, Logix Controllers, published on 3 Mar 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
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.
Weakness: CWE-522
Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-22681?
It affects 3 products.
Products include Rockwellautomation Factorytalk Services Platform, Rockwellautomation Rslogix 5000, Rockwellautomation Studio 5000 Logix Designer.
How do I fix CVE-2021-22681?
No fix has been published for CVE-2021-22681 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 26 Mar 2026.
Upgrade, and rotate credentials and sessions that may have been exposed. More about Authentication bypass.
Is CVE-2021-22681 being exploited?
Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2021-22681 in the wild since at least 5 Mar 2026.
Public exploit code: 1 proofs of concept on GitHub.
Other vulnerabilities in Rockwell Automation Studio 5000 Logix Designer, RSLogix 5000, Logix Controllers
- CVE-2020-14516 Weak cryptography in Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Services Platform
- CVE-2024-21917 Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk® Service Platform Service Token Vulnerability
- CVE-2020-6967 Deserialization in Rockwell Automation All versions of FactoryTalk Diagnostics software, a subsystem of the FactoryTalk Services Platform
- CVE-2024-21915 Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk® Service Platform Elevated Privileges Vulnerability Through Web Service Functionality
- CVE-2020-12033 Missing authorization in Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Services Platform
Sources
Also known as GHSA-pvh9-p4pw-h78q.