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Mallory
MediumCISA KEVExploited in the wildPublic exploit

Stored XSS in OpenPLC ScadaBR system_settings.shtm

IdentifiersCVE-2021-26829CWE-79· Improper Neutralization of Input…

CVE-2021-26829 is a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability in OpenPLC ScadaBR affecting versions through 0.9.1 on Linux and through 1.12.4 on Windows. The flaw is exposed via the system_settings.shtm page/component, where attacker-controlled input can be stored and later rendered in a victim’s browser without proper neutralization. The provided content indicates the issue was patched in June 2021 and has been added to CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog based on evidence of active exploitation. Reporting cited in the content shows the vulnerability was used to inject HTML/JavaScript into HMI content, including the login page description, causing attacker-supplied script to execute when the page was viewed.

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ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

What it means. What to do now. Patch path, mitigations, and the assume-compromise checklist.

Impact

What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.

Successful exploitation enables execution of arbitrary JavaScript in the browser context of users viewing the affected ScadaBR interface. Based on the provided reporting, this has been used for HMI defacement and can support session hijacking. The content also states the flaw may enable arbitrary code execution, but the specific mechanism and conditions for that outcome are not sufficiently detailed in the provided material. In observed exploitation, attackers used the vulnerability after obtaining access to the HMI to alter interface content, display attacker-controlled pop-ups, and support disruptive actions against the web/HMI layer.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

Until patching is completed, restrict access to the ScadaBR web interface, especially administrative and HMI management pages such as system_settings.shtm. Remove public internet exposure, enforce strong authentication, eliminate default credentials, segment OT/ICS management networks, and apply IP-based ACLs to administrative interfaces. Monitor for unauthorized changes to HMI content, login page descriptions, system settings, logs, and alarms, and inspect for injected HTML/JavaScript indicative of stored XSS exploitation.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Upgrade OpenPLC ScadaBR to a version containing the June 2021 patch, and remediate all affected deployments on Linux and Windows. Because CISA added this CVE to the KEV catalog, organizations should prioritize patching on exposed or internet-reachable HMI/SCADA deployments. If a fixed version is not available for a given deployment, follow vendor guidance and CISA KEV remediation recommendations, including discontinuing use of unmitigated vulnerable instances where necessary.
PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

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VALID 0 / 0 TOTALView more in app

No public exploit code observed for this vulnerability.

EXPOSURE SURFACE

Affected products & vendors

Products and vendors Mallory has correlated with this vulnerability. Open in Mallory to drill down to specific CPE configurations and version ranges.

VendorProductType
OpenplcprojectScadabrapplication
ScadabrScadabrapplication

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What this page doesn’t show

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Exposure mapping

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Threat actor evidence7

Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.

Associated malware1

Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.

Detection signatures2

YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.

Vendor-by-vendor mapping

Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.

Social activity43

Community discussion across Reddit, Mastodon, and other social sources.