Schneider Electric Modicon Controllers

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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v4 8.7
• ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity
• Vendor: Schneider Electric
• Equipment: Modicon Controllers M241/M251/M258/LMC058
• Vulnerability: Externally Controlled Reference to a Resource in Another Sphere

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could cause a loss of confidentiality when an unauthenticated attacker manipulates a controller's webserver URL to access resources.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

Schneider Electric reports that the following products are affected:

• Schneider Electric Modicon Controllers M241: Versions prior to 5.3.12.48
• Schneider Electric Modicon Controllers M251: Versions prior to 5.3.12.48
• Schneider Electric Modicon Controllers M258: All versions
• Schneider Electric Modicon Controllers LMC058: All versions

3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

3.2.1 EXTERNALLY CONTROLLED REFERENCE TO A RESOURCE IN ANOTHER SPHERE CWE-610

CWE-610: Externally Controlled Reference to a Resource in Another Sphere vulnerability exists that could cause a loss of confidentiality when an unauthenticated attacker manipulates a controller's webserver URL to access resources.

CVE-2025-2875 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2025-2875. A base score of 8.7 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.3 BACKGROUND

• CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Commercial Facilities, Critical Manufacturing, Energy
• COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
• COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: France

3.4 RESEARCHER

Loc Nguyen, Dat Phung, Thai Do, and Minh Pham of Unit 515 OPSWAT reported this vulnerability to Schneider Electric.

4. MITIGATIONS

Schneider Electric has identified the following specific workarounds and mitigations users can apply to reduce risk:

Schneider Electric Modicon Controllers M241/M251 versions prior to 5.3.12.48: Version 5.3.12.48 of Modicon Controllers M241/M251 includes a fix for this vulnerability. Please use the following instructions:

• Use the Controller Assistant feature of EcoStruxure Automation Expert – Motion V24.1 to update the M241/M251 firmware and perform a reboot.
• Please install EcoStruxure Automation Expert – Motion V24.1 via the Schneider Electric Software Installer, available at the following link: https://www.se.com/us/en/product-range/2226-ecostruxuremachine-expert-software/#software-and-firmware
• Additional information is available in the Quick Start Guide, chapter "EcoStruxure Automation Expert Platform Installation".
  Schneider Electric Modicon Controllers M241/M251 versions prior to 5.3.12.48: If users choose not to apply the remediation provided above, they should immediately apply the following mitigations to reduce the risk of exploit:
• Use controllers and devices only in a protected environment to minimize network exposure and ensure that they are not accessible from public internet or untrusted networks.
• Ensure usage of user management and password features. User rights are enabled by default and forced to create a strong password at first use.
• Deactivate the Webserver after use when not needed.
• Use encrypted communication links when available.
• Setup network segmentation and implement a firewall to block all unauthorized access to ports 80/HTTP and 443/HTTPS.
• Use VPN (Virtual Private Networks) tunnels if remote access is required.
• The "Cybersecurity Guidelines for EcoStruxure Machine Expert, Modicon and PacDrive Controllers and Associated Equipment" provide product specific hardening guidelines. To ensure you are informed of all updates, including details on affected products and remediation plans, subscribe to Schneider Electric's security notification service here: https://www.se.com/en/work/support/cybersecurity/securitynotifications.jsp

Schneider Electric Modicon Controllers M258/LMC058 all versions: Schneider Electric is establishing a remediation plan for all future versions of Modicon M258/LMC058 that will include a fix for this vulnerability. Schneider Electric will update this document when the remediation is available. Until then, users should immediately apply the following mitigations to reduce the risk of exploit:

• Use controllers and devices only in a protected environment to minimize network exposure and ensure that they are not accessible from public internet or untrusted networks.
• Ensure usage of user management and password features. User rights are enabled by default and forced to create a strong password at first use.
• Deactivate the Webserver after use when not needed.
• Use encrypted communication links when available.
• Setup network segmentation and implement a firewall to block all unauthorized access to ports 80/HTTP and 443/HTTPS.
• Use VPN (Virtual Private Networks) tunnels if remote access is required.
• The "Cybersecurity Guidelines for EcoStruxure Machine Expert, Modicon, and PacDrive Controllers and Associated Equipment" provide product specific hardening guidelines. To ensure you are informed of all updates, including details on affected products and remediation plans, subscribe to Schneider Electric's security notification service here: https://www.se.com/en/work/support/cybersecurity/securitynotifications.jsp

The following product versions have been fixed:

• Modicon Controllers M241 version 5.3.12.48 is a fixed version for CVE-2025-2875
• Modicon Controllers M251 version 5.3.12.48 is a fixed version for CVE-2025-2875

For more information see the associated Schneider Electric CPCERT security advisory SEVD-2025-133-01 Modicon Controllers M241/M251/M258/LMC058 - SEVD-2025-133-01 PDF Version, Modicon Controllers M241/M251/M258/LMC058 - SEVD-2025-133-01 CSAF Version.

CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.

CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage on cisa.gov. Several CISA products detailing cyber defense best practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.

CISA encourages organizations to implement recommended cybersecurity strategies for proactive defense of ICS assets.

Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov in the technical information paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B--Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.

Organizations observing suspected malicious activity should follow established internal procedures and report findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.

CISA also recommends users take the following measures to protect themselves from social engineering attacks:

• Do not click web links or open attachments in unsolicited email messages.
• Refer to Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scams for more information on avoiding email scams.
• Refer to Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks for more information on social engineering attacks.

No known public exploitation specifically targeting this vulnerability has been reported to CISA at this time.

5. UPDATE HISTORY

• May 20, 2025: Initial Republication of Schneider Electric CPCERT SEVD-2025-133-01

• Schneider Electric