CVE-2021-22681: Rockwell Multiple Products Insufficient Protected Credentials Vulnerability

In short

Rockwell Multiple Products has a weakness classified as CWE-522. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-03-05. NVD lists CVSS 3.1 at 9.8 CRITICAL.

What it is

“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.” — CISA KEV, retrieved 2026-11-01

“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.” — NVD, retrieved 2026-11-01

Who is affected

Rockwell Multiple Products. NVD lists the following versions as affected:

• Rockwellautomation Factorytalk Services Platform: from 2.10 inclusive
• Rockwellautomation Rslogix 5000: from 16 inclusive, through 20
• Rockwellautomation Studio 5000 Logix Designer: from 21.0 inclusive

Exploitation status

CISA KEV added: 2026-03-05. Known ransomware campaign use: Not reported by CISA. Due date CISA set for US federal civilian agencies: 2026-03-26.

Scores

NVD CVSS 3.1: 9.8 CRITICAL; vector CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H; source [email protected].

EPSS by FIRST: 63.63%; percentile 99.22; score date 2026-10-31. EPSS estimates the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

CWE: CWE-522.

Timeline

CISA required action

“Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.” — CISA KEV

What to do

• Confirm whether you run Rockwell Multiple Products and which version.
• Apply the vendor update or mitigation in the vendor advisory.
• Follow CISA’s required action.
• Review the vendor guidance on signs of compromise.
• Track the fix through completion.

References

• Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource: https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ics/advisories/icsa-21-056-03
• NVD detail
• CVE.org record
• CISA KEV catalog

Sources and dates

CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, version 2026.10.30; retrieved 2026-11-01. CISA KEV data: CC0 1.0. No endorsement by CISA.

NVD retrieved: 2026-11-01. This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD.

EPSS scores by FIRST; score date 2026-10-31.