How severe is CVE-2021-32986?

CVE-2021-32986 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-2021-32986 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (63rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-32986?

CVE-2021-32986 primarily affects Automationdirect C0-10dd1e-d Firmware. In total, 20 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-32986?

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-2021-32986 published?

CVE-2021-32986 was published on 2022-04-04 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-32986

CVE-2021-32986 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Automationdirect C0-10dd1e-d Firmware 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-863.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 7.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (63rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-863
Affected product: Automationdirect C0-10dd1e-d Firmware
Published: 2022-04-04
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

After Automation Direct CLICK PLC CPU Modules: C0-1x CPUs with firmware prior to v3.00 is unlocked by an authorized user, the unlocked state does not timeout. If the programming software is interrupted, the PLC remains unlocked. All subsequent programming connections are allowed without authorization. The PLC is only relocked by a power cycle, or when the programming software disconnects correctly.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-32986?: After Automation Direct CLICK PLC CPU Modules: C0-1x CPUs with firmware prior to v3.00 is unlocked by an authorized user, the unlocked state does not timeout. If the programming software is interrupted, the PLC remains unlocked. All subsequent programming connections are allowed without authorization. The PLC is only relocked by a power cycle, or when the programming software disconnects correctly.
How severe is CVE-2021-32986?: CVE-2021-32986 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-2021-32986 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (63rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-32986?: CVE-2021-32986 primarily affects Automationdirect C0-10dd1e-d Firmware. In total, 20 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-32986?: 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-2021-32986 published?: CVE-2021-32986 was published on 2022-04-04 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ics/advisories/icsa-21-166-02

Affected products (20)

cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-10dd1e-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-10dd2e-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-10dre-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-10are-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-11dd1e-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-11dd2e-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-11dre-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-11are-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12dd1e-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12dd2e-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12dre-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12are-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12dd1e-1-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12dd2e-1-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12dre-1-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12are-1-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12dd1e-2-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12dd2e-2-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12dre-2-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12are-2-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Automationdirect C0-10dd1e-d Firmware

CVE-2021-32984 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): All programming connections receive the same unlocked privileges, which can result in a privilege escalation. During…
CVE-2021-32980 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Automation Direct CLICK PLC CPU Modules: C0-1x CPUs with firmware prior to v3.00 does not protect against additional…
CVE-2021-32982 — High (CVSS 7.5): Automation Direct CLICK PLC CPU Modules: C0-1x CPUs with firmware prior to v3.00 passwords are sent as plaintext during…
CVE-2021-32978 — High (CVSS 7.5): The programming protocol allows for a previously entered password and lock state to be read by an attacker. If the…

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