How severe is CVE-2020-10048?

CVE-2020-10048 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.

Is CVE-2020-10048 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (26th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-10048?

CVE-2020-10048 primarily affects Siemens Simatic Pcs 7. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-10048?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2020-10048 published?

CVE-2020-10048 was published on 2021-02-09 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-10048

CVE-2020-10048 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Siemens Simatic Pcs 7 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-287.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.5)
CVSS v2: 2.1
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (26th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-287
Affected product: Siemens Simatic Pcs 7
Published: 2021-02-09
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC PCS 7 (All versions), SIMATIC WinCC (All versions < V7.5 SP2). Due to an insecure password verification process, an attacker could bypass the password protection set on protected files, thus being granted access to the protected content, circumventing authentication.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-10048?: A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC PCS 7 (All versions), SIMATIC WinCC (All versions < V7.5 SP2). Due to an insecure password verification process, an attacker could bypass the password protection set on protected files, thus being granted access to the protected content, circumventing authentication.
How severe is CVE-2020-10048?: CVE-2020-10048 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.
Is CVE-2020-10048 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (26th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-10048?: CVE-2020-10048 primarily affects Siemens Simatic Pcs 7. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-10048?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2020-10048 published?: CVE-2020-10048 was published on 2021-02-09 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-944678.pdf

Affected products (5)

cpe:2.3:a:siemens:simatic_pcs_7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:simatic_wincc:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:simatic_wincc:7.5:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:simatic_wincc:7.5:sp1_update1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:simatic_wincc:7.5:sp1_update2:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Siemens Simatic Pcs 7

CVE-2023-25910 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC PCS 7 (All versions < V9.1 SP2 UC04), SIMATIC S7-PM (All versions < V5.7…
CVE-2014-8551 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The WinCC server in Siemens SIMATIC WinCC 7.0 through SP3, 7.2 before Update 9, and 7.3 before Update 2; SIMATIC PCS 7…
CVE-2021-40358 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC PCS 7 V8.2 (All versions), SIMATIC PCS 7 V9.0 (All versions < V9.0 SP3…
CVE-2019-10922 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC PCS 7 V8.0 and earlier (All versions), SIMATIC PCS 7 V8.1 and newer (All…
CVE-2021-40360 — High (CVSS 8.8): A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC PCS 7 V8.2 (All versions), SIMATIC PCS 7 V9.0 (All versions), SIMATIC…
CVE-2019-10918 — High (CVSS 8.8): A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC PCS 7 V8.0 and earlier (All versions), SIMATIC PCS 7 V8.1 (All versions…

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Other CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) vulnerabilities

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CVE-2026-10611 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): An authentication bypass vulnerability exists in MISP when LDAP mixed authentication is enabled with OTP enforcement.…
CVE-2026-47280 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Resource Manager (ARM) allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a…
CVE-2026-42822 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Local Disconnected Operations allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges…
CVE-2026-20182 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): May 2026: This security advisory provides the details and fix information for a vulnerability that was discovered and…

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