How severe is CVE-2020-28221?

CVE-2020-28221 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2020-28221 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (77th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2020-28221?

CVE-2020-28221 primarily affects Schneider-electric Ecostruxure Operator Terminal Expert. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2020-28221?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2020-28221 published?

CVE-2020-28221 was published on 2021-01-26 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2020-28221

CVE-2020-28221 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Schneider-electric Ecostruxure Operator Terminal Expert with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. 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-20.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 9.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (77th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-20
Affected product: Schneider-electric Ecostruxure Operator Terminal Expert
Published: 2021-01-26
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A CWE-20: Improper Input Validation vulnerability exists in EcoStruxure™ Operator Terminal Expert and Pro-face BLUE (version details in the notification) that could cause arbitrary code execution when the Ethernet Download feature is enable on the HMI.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2020-28221?: A CWE-20: Improper Input Validation vulnerability exists in EcoStruxure™ Operator Terminal Expert and Pro-face BLUE (version details in the notification) that could cause arbitrary code execution when the Ethernet Download feature is enable on the HMI.
How severe is CVE-2020-28221?: CVE-2020-28221 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2020-28221 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (77th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2020-28221?: CVE-2020-28221 primarily affects Schneider-electric Ecostruxure Operator Terminal Expert. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2020-28221?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2020-28221 published?: CVE-2020-28221 was published on 2021-01-26 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://www.se.com/ww/en/download/document/SEVD-2021-012-01/

Affected products (4)

cpe:2.3:a:schneider-electric:ecostruxure_operator_terminal_expert:3.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:schneider-electric:ecostruxure_operator_terminal_expert:3.1:sp1a:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:schneider-electric:pro-face_blue:3.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:schneider-electric:pro-face_blue:3.1:sp1a:*:*:*:*:*:*

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