1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- CVSS v4 7.0
- ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely
- Vendor: OpenPLC_V3
- Equipment: OpenPLC_V3
- Vulnerability: Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
2. RISK EVALUATION
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could result in the alteration of PLC settings or the upload of malicious programs.
3. TECHNICAL DETAILS
3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS
The following versions of OpenPLC_V3 are affected:
- OpenPLC_V3: Versions prior to pull request #310
3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW
3.2.1 CROSS-SITE REQUEST FORGERY (CSRF) CWE-352
OpenPLC_V3 is vulnerable to a cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attack due to the absence of proper CSRF validation. This issue allows an unauthenticated attacker to trick a logged-in administrator into visiting a maliciously crafted link, potentially enabling unauthorized modification of PLC settings or the upload of malicious programs which could lead to significant disruption or damage to connected systems.
CVE-2025-13970 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 8.0 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:H).
A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2025-13970. A base score of 7.0 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:N/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:H).
3.3 BACKGROUND
- CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Critical Manufacturing, Energy, Transportation Systems, Water and Wastewater Systems
- COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
- COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: United States
3.4 RESEARCHER
Muhammad Ali and Anthony Marrongelli of University of Central Florida (UCF) reported this vulnerability to CISA.
4. MITIGATIONS
Pull request #310 resolves this issue. Users are advised to update OpenPLC_V3 to pull request #310 or later from the main GitHub repository.
CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability, 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.
No known public exploitation specifically targeting this vulnerability has been reported to CISA at this time. This vulnerability has a high attack complexity.
5. UPDATE HISTORY
- December 11, 2025: Initial Publication