CVE-2026-82783 in Remote IO Coupler Unit CPSN-MCB271-*
Summary
by MITRE • 09/14/2026
Plaintext storage of a password issue exists in CONPROSYS nano Series . If this vulnerability is exploited, an attacker with physical access to the product may obtain credentials.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2026
The security flaw identified within the CONPROSYS nano Series involves the improper handling and storage of authentication credentials, specifically resulting in plaintext persistence. This architectural deficiency means that sensitive user passwords are not subjected to cryptographic hashing or salting processes before being written to non-volatile memory or configuration files on the device. In a secure system design, password data must be transformed into an irreversible digest using robust algorithms such as bcrypt, scrypt, or Argon2, ensuring that even if storage media is compromised, the original credentials remain protected against reverse engineering. The absence of these fundamental cryptographic safeguards represents a critical deviation from established security best practices for industrial control systems and embedded devices.
The primary vector for exploiting this vulnerability requires physical access to the hardware unit. An attacker who gains direct interaction with the device can extract configuration files or memory dumps that contain the stored credentials in their original, unencrypted form. Unlike remote exploitation vectors which may require complex network-level interactions, this local attack path is straightforward and does not necessitate bypassing firewalls or exploiting software logic errors beyond reading storage contents. The ease of access significantly lowers the barrier to entry for malicious actors targeting these systems, particularly in environments where physical security controls are lax or non-existent.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple credential theft. In industrial and enterprise networks, credentials often possess elevated privileges that allow configuration changes, firmware updates, or control over critical processes. If an attacker obtains plaintext passwords for administrative accounts, they can authenticate to the device without detection by password complexity tools or brute-force mechanisms designed to limit login attempts. This facilitates unauthorized access that can lead to further lateral movement within the network, potential disruption of industrial operations, and manipulation of system parameters. The compromise of these credentials undermines the integrity and availability assurances provided by the CONPROSYS nano Series deployment.
To mitigate this risk, immediate remediation should focus on implementing secure credential storage mechanisms compliant with industry standards such as CWE-256, which covers the storage of passwords in a recoverable format. Developers must ensure that all password data is hashed using strong, adaptive hashing algorithms before persistence. Additionally, hardware-based security features like Trusted Platform Modules or Secure Elements can be leveraged to store cryptographic keys and sensitive data in tamper-resistant environments. For existing deployments where software updates are not immediately available, physical access controls should be strictly enforced to prevent unauthorized individuals from connecting storage devices or opening the enclosure to extract memory contents. Regular audits of configuration files for plaintext secrets and enforcement of strong password policies further reduce the potential impact if such a flaw persists in legacy versions.