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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v4 10.0
• ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity
• Vendor: AutomationDirect
• Equipment: MB-Gateway
• Vulnerability: Missing Authentication For Critical Function

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to make configuration changes, disrupt operations, or achieve arbitrary code execution.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following AutomationDirect product is affected:

• MB-Gateway: All Versions

3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

3.2.1 MISSING AUTHENTICATION FOR CRITICAL FUNCTION CWE-306

The embedded webserver lacks authentication and access controls, allowing unrestricted remote access. This could lead to configuration changes, operational disruption, or arbitrary code execution depending on the environment and exposed functionality.

CVE-2025-36535 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 10.0 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H).

A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2025-36535. A base score of 10.0 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H).

3.3 BACKGROUND

• CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Critical Manufacturing
• COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
• COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: United States

3.4 RESEARCHER

Souvik Kandar reported this vulnerability to AutomationDirect.
AutomationDirect reported this vulnerability to CISA.

4. MITIGATIONS

The hardware limitation of MB-Gateway does not provide for the implementation of proper access control update. AutomationDirect recommends that users plan for replacement of MB-Gateway with EKI-1221-CE.

If an immediate replacement is not feasible, AutomationDirect recommends considering the following interim steps until the programming software can be updated:

• Restrict network exposure: Ensure devices affected are not accessible from the Internet or untrusted networks. Place them behind firewalls.
• Use dedicated, secure internal networks or air-gapped systems for communication with programmable devices.
• Control Access: Restrict physical and logical access to authorized personnel only.
• Implement Whitelisting: Use application whitelisting to allow only pre-approved and trusted access. Block untrusted or unauthorized applications.
• Monitor and Log Activity: Enable logging and monitoring of system activities to detect potential anomalies or unauthorized actions. Regularly review logs for suspicious activity.
• Use Secure Backup and Recovery: Regularly back up the workstation and its configurations to a secure location. Test recovery procedures to ensure minimal downtime in the event of an incident.
• Plan for device replacement: Organizations should begin evaluating and migrating to supported hardware with active vendor support.

CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability, such as:

• 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.

CISA also recommends users take the following measures to protect themselves from social engineering attacks:

• Do not click web links or open attachments in unsolicited email messages.
• Refer to Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scams for more information on avoiding email scams.
• Refer to Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks for more information on social engineering attacks.

No known public exploitation specifically targeting this vulnerability has been reported to CISA at this time.

5. UPDATE HISTORY

• May 20, 2025: Initial Publication