CVE-2021-32980Network attack vector

Project disclosure via concurrent programming connection

Published Apr 4, 2022 · Updated Apr 16, 2025

Authentication bypass in AutomationDirect CLICK PLC C0-1x firmware before 3.00 allows remote attackers to read the PLC project. While an authorized programming connection remains active, the firmware accepts a second programming connection without independently enforcing authentication. Network access during that active session is required, and the documented consequence is unauthorized disclosure of the controller project.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability1.11%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Authentication bypass in AutomationDirect CLICK PLC C0-1x firmware before 3.00 allows remote attackers to read the PLC project. While an authorized programming connection remains active, the firmware accepts a second programming connection without independently enforcing authentication. Network access during that active session is required, and the documented consequence is unauthorized disclosure of the controller project.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-32980
Published
Apr 4, 2022
Updated
Apr 16, 2025
Vendor
AutomationDirect
Product
CLICK PLC
Classifications
CWE-288, CWE-287, T0866
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 4, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 16, 2025Record 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=unspecified <3.00

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

AutomationDirect · CLICK PLCversion=unspecified <3.00

Published CVSS scores

9.8ICS-CERTCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.5NISTAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P

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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-288Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel
CWE-287Improper Authentication
T0866Exploitation of Remote Services

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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