AutomationDirect CLICK PLUS

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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v4 8.7
• ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity
• Vendor: AutomationDirect
• Equipment: CLICK PLUS
• Vulnerabilities: Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information, Use of Hard-coded Cryptographic Key, Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm, Predictable Seed in Pseudo-Random Number Generator, Improper Resource Shutdown or Release, Missing Authorization

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities disclose sensitive information, modify device settings, escalate privileges, or cause a denial-of-service condition on the affected device.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following AutomationDirect products are affected:

• CLICK PLUS C0-0x CPU firmware: Versions prior to v3.71
• CLICK PLUS C0-1x CPU firmware: Versions prior to v3.71
• CLICK PLUS C2-x CPU firmware: Versions prior to v3.71

3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

3.2.1 Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information CWE-312

Cleartext storage of sensitive information was discovered in Click Programming Software version v3.60. The vulnerability can be exploited by a local user with access to the file system, while an administrator session is active, to steal credentials stored in clear text.

CVE-2025-54855 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 4.2 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2025-54855. A base score of 4.1 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:H/UI:P/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.2.2 Use of Hard-coded Cryptographic Key CWE-321

The use of a hard-coded cryptographic key was discovered in firmware version 3.60 of the Click Plus PLC. The vulnerability relies on the fact that the software contains a hard-coded AES key used to protect the initial messages of a new KOPS session.

CVE-2025-58069 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.3 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2025-58069. A base score of 6.9 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.2.3 Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm CWE-327

The use of a broken or risky cryptographic algorithm was discovered in firmware version 3.60 of the Click Plus PLC. The vulnerability relies on the fact that the software uses an insecure implementation of the RSA encryption algorithm.

CVE-2025-59484 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.3 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:L).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2025-59484. A base score of 8.7 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.2.4 Predictable Seed in Pseudo-Random Number Generator CWE-337

A predictable seed in pseudo-random number generator vulnerability has been discovered in firmware version 3.60 of the Click Plus PLC. The vulnerability relies on the fact that the software implements a predictable seed for its pseudo-random number generator, which compromises the security of the generated private keys.

CVE-2025-55069 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.3 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:L).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2025-55069. A base score of 8.7 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.2.5 Improper Resource Shutdown or Release CWE-404

An improper resource shutdown or release vulnerability has been identified in the Click Plus C2-03CPU-2 device running firmware version 3.60. The vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to perform a denial-of-service attack by exhausting all available device sessions of the Click Programming Software.

CVE-2025-58473 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.9 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2025-58473. A base score of 8.2 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.2.6 Missing Authorization CWE-862

An authorization bypass vulnerability has been discovered in the Click Plus C2-03CPU2 device firmware version 3.60. Through the KOPR protocol utilized by the Remote PLC application, authenticated users with low-level access permissions can exploit this vulnerability to read and modify PLC variables beyond their intended authorization level.

CVE-2025-55038 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2025-55038. A base score of 7.6 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.2.7 Improper Resource Shutdown or Release CWE-404

An improper resource shutdown or release vulnerability has been identified in the Click Plus C2-03CPU-2 device running firmware version 3.60. The vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to perform a denial-of-service attack by exhausting all available device sessions in the Remote PLC application.

CVE-2025-57882 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.9 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2025-57882. A base score of 8.2 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).

3.3 BACKGROUND

• CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Critical Manufacturing
• COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
• COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: United States

3.4 RESEARCHER

Luca Borzacchiello and Diego Zaffaroni of Nozomi Networks reported these vulnerabilities to Automation Direct.

4. MITIGATIONS

AutomationDirect recommends that users update CLICK PLUS and firmware to V3.80.

If the update cannot be applied right away, the following compensating controls are recommended until the upgrade can be performed:

• Network Isolation – Disconnect the CLICK PLUS PLC from external networks (e.g., the internet or corporate LAN) to reduce exposure.
• Secure Communications – Use only trusted, dedicated internal networks or air-gapped systems for device communication.
• Access Control – Restrict both physical and logical access to authorized personnel only.
• Application Whitelisting – Configure whitelisting so that only trusted, pre-approved applications are allowed to run. Block any unauthorized software.
• Endpoint Protection – Use antivirus or EDR tools and configure host-based firewalls to block unauthorized access attempts.
• Logging & Monitoring – Enable and regularly review system logs to detect suspicious or unauthorized activity.
• Backup & Recovery – Maintain secure, tested backups of the PLC and its configurations to minimize downtime in case of an incident.
• Ongoing Risk Assessment – Continuously evaluate risks associated with running outdated firmware and adjust compensating measures accordingly.

CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of these vulnerabilities, such as:

• Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, ensuring they are not accessible from the internet.
• Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls and isolating them from business networks.
• When remote access is required, use more secure methods, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), recognizing VPNs may have vulnerabilities and should be updated to the most current version available. Also recognize VPN is only as secure as the connected devices.

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/ics. 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/ics 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 these vulnerabilities has been reported to CISA at this time.

5. UPDATE HISTORY

• September 23, 2025: Initial Publication

• AutomationDirect