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Vulnerability record · public intelligence
CVE-2021-33542
HIGH

Phoenix Contact: Automation Worx Software Suite affected by Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability

Published Jun 25, 2021 · Updated Nov 3, 2026

Severity · CVSSHIGH · Not scored
Known exploitationNot listed
EPSS / likelihood1.76%
QFinch risk scoreNot available

Original summary

Normalized public record · Updated Nov 3, 2026

Phoenix Contact: Automation Worx Software Suite affected by Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability

Publisher and source text is retained separately from QFinch interpretation.

QFinch assessment

Phoenix Contact Classic Automation Worx Software Suite in Version 1.87 and below is affected by a remote code execution vulnerability. Manipulated PC Worx or Config+ projects could lead to a remote code execution when unallocated memory is freed because of incompletely initialized data. The attacker needs to get access to an original bus configuration file (*.bcp) to be able to manipulate data inside. After manipulation the attacker needs to exchange the original file by the manipulated one on the application programming workstation. Availability, integrity, or confidentiality of an application programming workstation might be compromised by attacks using these vulnerabilities. Automated systems in operation which were programmed with one of the above-mentioned products are not affected.

Evidence: public source records

Affected products

Affected scope reported by the available public evidence
Affected package, product or rangeFix status
Consult the referenced vendor advisory for affected versions.Consult source advisory

Matching a version is only one part of assessing exposure. QFinch has not assessed your environment on this public page.

Remediation

Apply the vendor-supported fixed release or mitigation, then verify the affected component is no longer reachable.

  1. Confirm the affected product and reachable code path exist in your environment.
  2. Apply the vendor-supported patch or mitigation from the primary advisory.
  3. Rescan the exact deployed revision and retain verification evidence.
Review primary references

Evidence coverage

FIRST-EPSSCVE-LIST-V5
SSVC priority
MEDIUM
Confidence
Not available
Aliases
None reported

Scores appear only when corresponding evidence exists. Missing data is never interpreted as zero risk.

Sources and record history

  1. cert.vde.com ↗
  2. www.zerodayinitiative.com ↗

Record history

Published Jun 25, 2021 · Last refreshed Nov 3, 2026