CVE-2023-6448
About
Unitronics VisiLogic before version 9.9.00, used in Vision and Samba PLCs and HMIs, uses a default administrative password. An unauthenticated attacker with network access can take administrative control of a vulnerable system.
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Unitronics VisiLogic ships Vision and Samba series PLCs and HMIs with a default administrative password, and before version 9.9.00 nothing compels an operator to change it. There is no clever exploit here: an unauthenticated attacker with network access to the device logs in with the well-known default credential and takes full administrative control of the controller, including the logic that drives the physical process behind it.
These are operational-technology devices running real infrastructure — water and wastewater treatment among the most common — and they are routinely left reachable from the internet on default ports. In late 2023 the CyberAv3ngers group compromised Unitronics devices at US water utilities, altering and defacing HMIs, which turned a default-password weakness into a public safety and national-infrastructure incident. Change default credentials immediately, remove these controllers from direct internet exposure, place them behind properly segmented OT networks, and treat any device that was exposed as potentially tampered with.
References
- https://downloads.unitronicsplc.com/Sites/plc/Technical_Library/Unitronics-Cybersecurity-Advisory-2023-001-CVE-2023-6448.pdf
- https://downloads.unitronicsplc.com/Sites/plc/Visilogic/Version_Changes-Bug_Reports/VisiLogic%209.9.00%20Version%20changes.pdf
- https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/alerts/2023/11/28/exploitation-unitronics-plcs-used-water-and-wastewater-systems
- https://www.unitronicsplc.com/cyber_security_vision-samba/
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-6448
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Frequently asked questions
What is CVE-2023-6448?
Unitronics VisiLogic before version 9.9.00, used in Vision and Samba PLCs and HMIs, uses a default administrative password. An unauthenticated attacker with network access can take administrative control of a vulnerable system.
How severe is CVE-2023-6448?
CVE-2023-6448 carries a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8, rated critical. On the Rainforest Risk Index — which weighs the severity alongside how easy the flaw is to reach and how broad its impact is — it scores 99 out of 100, in the critical band.
How is CVE-2023-6448 exploited?
According to the CVSS vector (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H): attack vector Network, attack complexity Low, privileges required None, user interaction None. Impact on confidentiality High, integrity High and availability High.
Which products are affected by CVE-2023-6448?
Public advisories list the following as affected: samba 3.5, samba 3.5 firmware, samba 4.3, samba 4.3 firmware, samba 7, samba 7 firmware, +27. Check the references on this page for the exact versions each vendor confirms.
How do I fix CVE-2023-6448?
Apply the fix the vendor published — the references on this page link to the primary advisories and patches. When patching can't happen right away, reduce the exposure of the affected component and watch it for exploitation attempts. Rainforest customers see this vulnerability correlated to their own assets and prioritized by real exposure, not by score alone.
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