CVE-2025-13970 in OpenPLC v3
Summary
by MITRE • 12/13/2025
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.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-13970 affects OpenPLC_V3, a widely used open-source platform for programmable logic controller development and deployment in industrial environments. This cross-site request forgery flaw represents a critical security weakness that directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of industrial control systems. The vulnerability stems from the absence of proper anti-CSRF mechanisms within the web interface, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the trust relationship between authenticated users and the application. Industrial control systems require robust security measures due to their critical role in infrastructure operations, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for operational technology environments.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability occurs when an authenticated administrator interacts with the OpenPLC_V3 web interface without proper validation of request origins or anti-CSRF tokens. When an attacker crafts a malicious link and persuades a logged-in administrator to click it, the application processes the request as if it originated from the legitimate user session. This flaw operates at the application layer and specifically targets the web-based configuration interface that allows modification of PLC settings and program uploads. The vulnerability can be exploited through various vectors including social engineering campaigns, phishing attacks, or compromised web pages that embed malicious requests. The lack of CSRF protection mechanisms means that the application cannot distinguish between legitimate user-initiated requests and those generated by an attacker, fundamentally undermining the security model of the platform.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially leading to significant disruption of industrial processes and physical system compromise. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could modify PLC program logic, alter control parameters, or upload malicious code that could cause equipment malfunction, production halts, or safety incidents. The consequences are particularly severe in industrial settings where PLC systems control critical infrastructure such as manufacturing processes, power generation, or water treatment facilities. The vulnerability creates a persistent risk that remains active as long as the application is running, since no authentication is required to exploit it beyond the initial user session. This makes it especially dangerous in environments where administrators may be less security-aware or where multiple users share administrative access to the system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust anti-CSRF protection mechanisms within the OpenPLC_V3 application framework. The most effective approach involves implementing anti-CSRF tokens that are generated per session and validated for each state-changing request, following established security best practices. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as requiring multi-factor authentication for administrative access, implementing network segmentation to limit access to the PLC web interface, and conducting regular security assessments of industrial control systems. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery weaknesses in web applications, and represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and secure session management. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and privilege escalation, potentially enabling adversaries to move laterally within industrial control networks and compromise operational technology environments.