---
title: "Critical Vulnerabilities in Advantech WebAccess/SCADA Expose Industrial Systems"
short_title: "Advantech WebAccess/SCADA critical flaws patched"
description: "Five high-severity vulnerabilities in Advantech WebAccess/SCADA could allow attackers to execute code, access databases, or delete files. Update to version 9.2.2 now."
author: "Vitus"
date: 2025-01-24
categories: [Cybersecurity, Vulnerabilities]
tags: [scada, advantech, cve-2025, industrial-security, cybersecurity]
score: 0.85
cve_ids: [CVE-2025-14850, CVE-2025-14849, CVE-2025-14848, CVE-2025-46268, CVE-2025-67653]
---
TL;DR
Advantech has patched five critical vulnerabilities in its WebAccess/SCADA software, which could allow authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code, access or modify databases, or delete files. Organizations in critical manufacturing, energy, and water sectors must update to version 9.2.2 immediately to mitigate risks.
---
Main Content
Introduction
Advantech, a global leader in industrial automation and IoT solutions, has released a critical security update for its WebAccess/SCADA software. The update addresses five high-severity vulnerabilities that could expose industrial control systems (ICS) to cyberattacks. Successful exploitation of these flaws could enable attackers to read or modify remote databases, execute arbitrary code, or delete critical files, posing significant risks to critical infrastructure sectors worldwide.
---
Key Points
- Five vulnerabilities identified in Advantech WebAccess/SCADA version 9.2.1, including path traversal, unrestricted file upload, and SQL injection.
- Critical infrastructure sectors at risk: critical manufacturing, energy, and water/wastewater systems.
- High-severity CVEs with CVSS scores ranging from 4.3 to 8.8, indicating varying levels of risk.
- No known public exploitation reported yet, but organizations are urged to patch immediately.
- Mitigation: Upgrade to WebAccess/SCADA version 9.2.2 to resolve all identified vulnerabilities.
---
Technical Details
#### Vulnerabilities Overview
The vulnerabilities affect Advantech WebAccess/SCADA version 9.2.1 and include the following:
| CVE ID | Type | CVSS Score | Severity | Impact |
|------------------|-----------------------------------|----------------|--------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| CVE-2025-14850 | Path Traversal | 8.1 | High | Allows attackers to delete arbitrary files. |
| CVE-2025-14849 | Unrestricted File Upload | 8.8 | High | Enables remote code execution (RCE). |
| CVE-2025-14848 | Absolute Path Traversal | 4.3 | Medium | Permits attackers to determine the existence of arbitrary files. |
| CVE-2025-46268 | SQL Injection | 6.3 | Medium | Allows execution of arbitrary SQL commands. |
| CVE-2025-67653 | Path Traversal | 4.3 | Medium | Enables attackers to determine the existence of arbitrary files. |
---
#### Attack Vector
These vulnerabilities can be exploited by authenticated attackers with access to the WebAccess/SCADA system. The flaws stem from:
- Improper input validation, leading to path traversal and SQL injection attacks.
- Lack of restrictions on file uploads, allowing malicious files to be uploaded and executed.
- Insufficient path sanitization, enabling attackers to access or manipulate files outside restricted directories.
---
#### Affected Systems
- Product: Advantech WebAccess/SCADA
- Version: 9.2.1
- Sectors: Critical manufacturing, energy, water and wastewater systems
- Deployment: Worldwide
---
Impact Assessment
The exploitation of these vulnerabilities could have severe consequences for industrial environments:
1. Operational Disruption: Attackers could delete critical files or execute arbitrary code, leading to system downtime or equipment failure.
2. Data Breaches: SQL injection vulnerabilities could enable attackers to access or modify sensitive data stored in remote databases.
3. Regulatory Compliance Risks: Organizations in critical infrastructure sectors may face regulatory penalties for failing to secure their systems.
4. Reputation Damage: Successful attacks could erode trust in Advantech’s products and the affected organizations.
---
Mitigation Steps
Advantech has released version 9.2.2 to address these vulnerabilities. Organizations are strongly advised to:
1. Apply the Patch: Upgrade to WebAccess/SCADA version 9.2.2 immediately.
2. Isolate Critical Systems: Ensure control system networks are not accessible from the internet and are separated from business networks using firewalls.
3. Use Secure Remote Access: If remote access is required, use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and ensure they are updated to the latest version.
4. Monitor for Suspicious Activity: Implement intrusion detection systems (IDS) to monitor for signs of exploitation.
5. Conduct Risk Assessments: Perform impact analysis and risk assessments before deploying defensive measures.
For additional guidance, refer to CISA’s [recommended practices for control systems security](https://www.cisa.gov/ics).
---
Conclusion
The discovery of these vulnerabilities in Advantech WebAccess/SCADA highlights the ongoing risks faced by industrial control systems. While no active exploitation has been reported, the potential impact on critical infrastructure sectors underscores the urgency of applying the latest security updates. Organizations must prioritize patch management, network segmentation, and proactive monitoring to safeguard their systems against emerging threats.
---
References
[^1]: CISA. "[ICSA-25-352-06 Advantech WebAccess/SCADA](https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-advisories/icsa-25-352-06)". Retrieved 2025-01-24.
[^2]: NIST National Vulnerability Database. "[CVE-2025-14850](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-14850)". Retrieved 2025-01-24.
[^3]: MITRE. "[CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/22.html)". Retrieved 2025-01-24.
[^4]: Advantech. "[WebAccess/SCADA Security Update](https://www.advantech.com/support)". Retrieved 2025-01-24.