← gociux.comall exploited CVEs

Exploited vulnerability · CISA KEV

Is CVE-2021-22681 exploited? Yes: in CISA KEV since 5 Mar 2026

Gociux · Rockwell Multiple Products · data: CISA KEV, CVE record, FIRST EPSS

Yes. CVE-2021-22681, Rockwell Multiple Products Insufficient Protected Credentials Vulnerability, is being exploited in the wild. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 5 Mar 2026, 1828 days after it was published. It affects Rockwell Multiple Products. If you run it, CISA's required action is: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

exploitedYesCISA KEV · 5 Mar 2026
ransomwareNot knownno confirmed use
EPSStop 1%among the most likely CVEs to be exploited
severity9.8CVSS 3.1 · critical
US federal due26 Mar 2026BOD 22-01 deadline

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.

VendorRockwell (1 exploited CVE in KEV)
ProductMultiple Products
VulnerabilityRockwell Multiple Products Insufficient Protected Credentials Vulnerability
WeaknessCWE-522
Published3 Mar 2021
Added to KEV5 Mar 2026
Reported by (CNA)icscert

What to do

  1. Check whether you run it. Look for Multiple Products in your asset inventory, including appliances and cloud images. Stack check lists every exploited Rockwell CVE at once.
  2. Apply the fix. Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
  3. If you can't patch today, take the affected service off the internet or restrict who can reach it, and check its logs for signs of compromise since 3 Mar 2021.
  4. Get told next time. Email alerts when CISA adds a CVE for Rockwell.

References

Questions

Is CVE-2021-22681 being exploited?

Yes. CISA added CVE-2021-22681 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 5 Mar 2026, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild.

Is CVE-2021-22681 used in ransomware attacks?

CISA does not list known ransomware use for it. That can change, and exploitation alone is reason to fix it first.

How do I fix CVE-2021-22681?

Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Check Rockwell's advisory for the fixed versions, and if you can't patch quickly, restrict access to the affected Multiple Products and watch it for signs of compromise.

Sources: CISA KEV (exploitation, ransomware use, required action, due date), the CVE record (publication date, CVSS, CNA), NVD and FIRST EPSS (live score). More: all KEV additions in March 2026 · act-now radar.

Running Rockwell in a regulated environment?

We check exposure across your estate, patch or mitigate with your team, and set up detection for what attackers do after exploiting it.

Get in touch →