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 C0-0x CPU firmware: Versions prior to v3.71
CLICK C0-1x CPU firmware: Versions prior to v3.71
CLICK PLUS C2-x CPU firmware: Versions prior to v3.71
3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW
3.2.2 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).
3.3 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
This product is provided subject to this Notification and this Privacy & Use policy.
Vendor
AutomationDirect
