CVE-2022-2003: AutomationDirect DirectLOGIC with Serial Communication Cleartext Transmission

Is it exploited?

Reported, not confirmed by CISA. VulnCheck KEV lists it as exploited in the wild. CISA has not added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog as of 29 Oct 2026.

VulnCheck KEV lists it since 14 Jul 2022. It cites 1 public report, the first from 14 Jul 2022.

• dragos.com

How likely is exploitation in the next 30 days?

0.8%

Up from 0.7% on 22 Oct 2026.

EPSS score, percentile 55.5 of all scored records. A probability estimated by FIRST, not a report of exploitation.

How severe?

7.7 High

CVSS v3.1 base score, given by the CNA

What should I do?

AutomationDirect recommends users upgrade to firmware Version 2.72 or later … Full textSolution from the CVE record.

CISA has set no required action, because the vulnerability is not in KEV.

The CVE record links no vendor advisory, patch or mitigation.

Which versions are affected?

Affected

• from D0-06DD1 to before 2.72
• from D0-06DD2 to before 2.72
• from D0-06DR to before 2.72
• from D0-06DA to before 2.72
• from D0-06AR to before 2.72
• from D0-06AA to before 2.72

and 3 more in the table below

Versions by product

Source: CISA KEV 2026.10.29, as of 29 Oct 2026; VulnCheck KEV, as of 30 Oct 2026; FIRST EPSS, as of 29 Oct 2026; CVE List, as of 30 Oct 2026. About the data.

Description

AutomationDirect DirectLOGIC with Serial Communication Cleartext Transmission

AutomationDirect DirectLOGIC is vulnerable to a specifically crafted serial message to the CPU serial port that will cause the PLC to respond with the PLC password in cleartext. This could allow an attacker to access and make unauthorized changes. This issue affects: AutomationDirect DirectLOGIC D0-06 series CPUs D0-06DD1 versions prior to 2.72; D0-06DD2 versions prior to 2.72; D0-06DR versions prior to 2.72; D0-06DA versions prior to 2.72; D0-06AR versions prior to 2.72; D0-06AA versions prior to 2.72; D0-06DD1-D versions prior to 2.72; D0-06DD2-D versions prior to 2.72; D0-06DR-D versions prior to 2.72;

Source: CVE List, as of 30 Oct 2026. About the data.

What to do

Advisories and patches

The CVE record links no vendor advisory, patch or mitigation.

Solution (from the CVE record)

AutomationDirect recommends users upgrade to firmware Version 2.72 or later, which will no longer respond with the password when requested with the specially crafted message. Additional mitigation for brute force password access has also been added. Three incorrect password entries will result in a 3-hour lock out of password entry. Power cycle will allow subsequent password attempts. While automation networks and systems have built-in password protection schemes, this is only one step in securing the affected systems. Automation control system networks must incorporate data protection and security measures at least as robust as a typical business computer system. AutomationDirect recommends users of PLCs, HMI products, and other SCADA system products perform independent network security analysis to determine the proper level of security required for the application. AutomationDirect has identified the specific mitigation actions listed below: Secure physical access. Isolate and air gap networks when possible. Consider some of the AutomationDirect newer PLC families.

This summary is based on the CVE record as of 30 Oct 2026. Check the vendor's advisory before you act: affected versions and fixes can change.

Affected products and versions

Source: CVE List, as of 30 Oct 2026. About the data.

Timeline