Automation Direct CLICK PLC CPU Modules Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel
Priority MEDIUM 51CWE-288Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Security bypass
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-288.
Summary
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.
Why it matters now
Exploitation None reported CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.01113 66th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Fixed CLICK PLC CPU Modules: C0-1x CPUs (Automation Direct): 3.00
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- Yes
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AutomationDirect | CLICK PLC CPU Modules: C0-1x CPUs | before 3.00 | 3.00 | Patch available | CNA |
- CLICK PLC CPU Modules: C0-1x CPUs VendorAutomationDirect Affected before 3.00 Fixed in 3.00 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 40
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-10dd1e-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 3.00 | Vulnerable | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-10dd1e-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-10dd2e-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 3.00 | Vulnerable | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-10dd2e-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-10dre-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 3.00 | Vulnerable | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-10dre-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-10are-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 3.00 | Vulnerable | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-10are-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-11dd1e-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 3.00 | Vulnerable | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-11dd1e-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | AutomationDirect |
- cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-10dd1e-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 3.00 Vulnerable ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-10dd1e-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-10dd2e-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 3.00 Vulnerable ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-10dd2e-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-10dre-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 3.00 Vulnerable ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-10dre-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-10are-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 3.00 Vulnerable ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-10are-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-11dd1e-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 3.00 Vulnerable ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-11dd1e-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·AutomationDirect
Show 30 more CPE
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-11dd2e-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 3.00 | Vulnerable | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-11dd2e-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-11dre-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 3.00 | Vulnerable | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-11dre-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-11are-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 3.00 | Vulnerable | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-11are-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12dd1e-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 3.00 | Vulnerable | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-12dd1e-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12dd2e-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 3.00 | Vulnerable | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-12dd2e-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12dre-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 3.00 | Vulnerable | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-12dre-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12are-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 3.00 | Vulnerable | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-12are-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12dd1e-1-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 3.00 | Vulnerable | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-12dd1e-1-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12dd2e-1-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 3.00 | Vulnerable | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-12dd2e-1-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12dre-1-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 3.00 | Vulnerable | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-12dre-1-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12are-1-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 3.00 | Vulnerable | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-12are-1-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12dd1e-2-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 3.00 | Vulnerable | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-12dd1e-2-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12dd2e-2-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 3.00 | Vulnerable | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-12dd2e-2-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12dre-2-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 3.00 | Vulnerable | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-12dre-2-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12are-2-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 3.00 | Vulnerable | AutomationDirect |
| cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-12are-2-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Running on | AutomationDirect |
- cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-11dd2e-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 3.00 Vulnerable ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-11dd2e-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-11dre-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 3.00 Vulnerable ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-11dre-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-11are-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 3.00 Vulnerable ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-11are-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12dd1e-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 3.00 Vulnerable ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-12dd1e-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12dd2e-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 3.00 Vulnerable ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-12dd2e-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12dre-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 3.00 Vulnerable ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-12dre-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12are-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 3.00 Vulnerable ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-12are-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12dd1e-1-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 3.00 Vulnerable ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-12dd1e-1-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12dd2e-1-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 3.00 Vulnerable ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-12dd2e-1-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12dre-1-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 3.00 Vulnerable ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-12dre-1-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12are-1-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 3.00 Vulnerable ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-12are-1-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12dd1e-2-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 3.00 Vulnerable ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-12dd1e-2-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12dd2e-2-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 3.00 Vulnerable ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-12dd2e-2-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12dre-2-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 3.00 Vulnerable ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-12dre-2-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:o:automationdirect:c0-12are-2-d_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 3.00 Vulnerable ·AutomationDirect
- cpe:2.3:h:automationdirect:c0-12are-2-d:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Running on ·AutomationDirect
Remediation
- Fix · CNA CLICK PLC CPU Modules: C0-1x CPUs (Automation Direct) Fixed in 3.00
Fixed in the same release
Records fixed by the same vendor advisory or release, as the CNA lists them.
- Release ·
Automation Direct CLICK PLC CPU Modules: C0-1x CPUs 3.00
5 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 5 MEDIUM
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2021-12592 Automation Direct CLICK PLC CPU Modules Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or ChannelPriority MEDIUM 51
- TI-2021-12588 Automation Direct CLICK PLC CPU Modules Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or ChannelPriority MEDIUM 51
- TI-2021-12586 Automation Direct CLICK PLC CPU Modules Plaintext Storage of a PasswordPriority MEDIUM 41
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2021-32986
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-j37w-8jcg-6mcp
References
More AutomationDirect C0-10are-d Firmware vulnerabilities
- TI-2021-12592 Automation Direct CLICK PLC CPU Modules Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2021-12588 Automation Direct CLICK PLC CPU Modules Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2021-12586 Automation Direct CLICK PLC CPU Modules Plaintext Storage of a Password CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
- TI-2021-12590 Automation Direct CLICK PLC CPU Modules Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
Sources
- CVE-2021-32986 · CVE Program
- CVE-2021-32986 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-j37w-8jcg-6mcp · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences