CVE-2025-41647
📋 TL;DR
A local attacker with low privileges can view the connected controller's password in plain text in PLC Designer V4 under specific conditions. This affects users of PLC Designer V4 software where an attacker has local access to the system. The vulnerability exposes sensitive authentication credentials.
💻 Affected Systems
- PLC Designer V4
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An attacker gains the controller password, potentially compromising industrial control systems, leading to unauthorized operations, production disruption, or safety hazards.
Likely Case
Local users or malware on a workstation can steal controller credentials, enabling unauthorized access to PLCs for reconnaissance or limited manipulation.
If Mitigated
With strict access controls and network segmentation, impact is limited to credential exposure on isolated systems without direct controller access.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and knowledge of the special conditions; likely involves interacting with the software GUI to trigger password display.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Unknown - check vendor advisory for specific version
Vendor Advisory: https://certvde.com/en/advisories/VDE-2025-043/
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check the vendor advisory for patch details. 2. Download and install the updated version of PLC Designer V4. 3. Restart the system to apply changes.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict Local Access
allLimit physical and logical access to systems running PLC Designer V4 to trusted users only.
Monitor User Activity
allImplement logging and monitoring on workstations with PLC Designer to detect unauthorized access attempts.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate systems running PLC Designer V4 from network segments containing controllers to limit credential misuse.
- Implement strict least-privilege access controls and audit local user activities on affected workstations.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if PLC Designer V4 is installed and review version against patched release from vendor advisory.Check Version:
Check software version via PLC Designer 'About' menu or Windows Programs and Features.Verify Fix Applied:
Confirm installation of the patched version and test that passwords are no longer displayed in plain text under the special conditions.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual local login events on PLC Designer workstations
- Access to PLC Designer processes by non-standard users
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected connections from PLC Designer workstations to controllers post-exploit
SIEM Query:
Example: 'source="PLC Designer logs" AND event="password display" OR user="untrusted"'