CVE-2021-22289Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Code execution via unvalidated project upload components

Published Aug 11, 2022 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Improper input validation in B&R Automation Studio 4.0 and later allows remote attackers to execute code through a crafted project upload. The project upload path uses an improper copy algorithm and fails to validate components before loading and opening project files in the IDE's security context. Exploitation requires an engineer to use the non-default upload feature against a compromised or spoofed PLC, enabling code execution, data disclosure, or a workstation crash.

CVSS severity8.3
High
EPSS probability0.77%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper input validation in B&R Automation Studio 4.0 and later allows remote attackers to execute code through a crafted project upload. The project upload path uses an improper copy algorithm and fails to validate components before loading and opening project files in the IDE's security context. Exploitation requires an engineer to use the non-default upload feature against a compromised or spoofed PLC, enabling code execution, data disclosure, or a workstation crash.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-22289
Published
Aug 11, 2022
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
B&R Industrial Automation
Product
Automation Studio
Classifications
CWE-20, T1203
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 11, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=4 <unspecified

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

B&R Industrial Automation · Automation Studioversion=4 <unspecified

Published CVSS scores

8.3B&R Industrial AutomationCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-20Improper Input Validation
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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