---
title: "Mitsubishi Electric GT Designer3 Flaw Exposes Credentials in Plaintext"
short_title: "GT Designer3 vulnerability exposes plaintext credentials"
description: "Mitsubishi Electric GT Designer3 vulnerability (CVE-2025-11009) allows attackers to extract plaintext credentials, risking unauthorized access to GOT2000 and GOT1000 devices. Learn mitigation steps now."
author: "Vitus"
date: 2025-01-24
categories: [Cybersecurity, Vulnerabilities]
tags: [mitsubishi-electric, cve-2025-11009, ics-security, credential-theft, vulnerability]
score: 0.75
cve_ids: [CVE-2025-11009]
---
TL;DR
A critical vulnerability (CVE-2025-11009) in Mitsubishi Electric GT Designer3 exposes plaintext credentials in project files, enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to GOT2000 and GOT1000 series devices. While the flaw requires local access and has high attack complexity, affected organizations must implement mitigations immediately to prevent exploitation.
---
Main Content
Introduction
Mitsubishi Electric’s GT Designer3, a widely used software for configuring human-machine interfaces (HMIs) in industrial control systems (ICS), has been found to store sensitive credentials in plaintext. This flaw, tracked as CVE-2025-11009, could allow attackers to extract credentials from project files and illegally operate GOT2000 and GOT1000 series devices. Given the software’s deployment in critical manufacturing sectors worldwide, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to industrial operations.
---
Key Points
- Vulnerability: CVE-2025-11009 enables cleartext storage of sensitive information (CWE-312), allowing attackers to obtain plaintext credentials from GT Designer3 project files.
- Affected Systems: GT Designer3 Version1 (GOT2000 and GOT1000 series) across all versions.
- Impact: Unauthorized access to GOT2000 and GOT1000 devices, potentially disrupting industrial processes.
- CVSS Score: 5.1 (Medium) with high attack complexity and local access requirements.
- Mitigation: Mitsubishi Electric recommends restricting network access, using firewalls/VPNs, and deploying antivirus software.
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Technical Details
#### Vulnerability Overview
CVE-2025-11009 stems from GT Designer3’s practice of storing and verifying credentials in plaintext within project files. An attacker with access to these files can extract credentials and use them to gain unauthorized control over GOT2000 or GOT1000 series devices. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information).
#### Attack Vector
- Access Requirement: Local access to the project file or compromised system.
- Exploitation: Attackers must extract the plaintext credentials from the project file and use them to access connected devices.
- Complexity: High, as it requires specific conditions (e.g., local access, unpatched systems).
#### Affected Products
- GT Designer3 Version1 (GOT2000): All versions.
- GT Designer3 Version1 (GOT1000): All versions.
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Impact Assessment
#### Potential Risks
- Unauthorized Device Operation: Attackers could manipulate GOT2000 or GOT1000 devices, leading to operational disruptions or safety incidents.
- Industrial Espionage: Credentials could be leveraged to access sensitive industrial processes or data.
- Lateral Movement: Compromised devices may serve as entry points for further attacks on the network.
#### Scope
- Critical Infrastructure: The vulnerability affects critical manufacturing sectors, including automotive, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical industries.
- Global Deployment: Mitsubishi Electric’s products are used worldwide, amplifying the potential impact.
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Mitigation Steps
Mitsubishi Electric has outlined several measures to reduce the risk of exploitation:
1. Network Segmentation:
- Restrict access to systems running GT Designer3 to local networks only.
- Block remote login from untrusted networks, hosts, or users.
2. Secure Remote Access:
- Use firewalls, VPNs, or other secure methods to prevent unauthorized access when remote access is necessary.
- Ensure VPNs are updated to the latest version and configured securely.
3. Endpoint Protection:
- Install and maintain antivirus software on computers running GT Designer3.
4. User Awareness:
- Avoid opening untrusted files or clicking on suspicious links.
- Follow best practices for cybersecurity hygiene.
5. Vendor Guidance:
- Refer to Mitsubishi Electric’s [official security advisory](https://www.mitsubishielectric.com/en/psirt/vulnerability/pdf/2025-01.pdf) for detailed instructions.
---
Recommended Practices
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommends the following defensive measures to minimize risks:
- Minimize Network Exposure: Ensure control system devices are not accessible from the internet.
- Isolate Control Systems: Locate ICS networks behind firewalls and separate them from business networks.
- Secure Remote Access: Use VPNs for remote access, but recognize their limitations and ensure they are patched and secured.
- Perform Risk Assessments: Conduct thorough impact analysis and risk assessments before deploying defensive measures.
- Monitor for Malicious Activity: Follow established internal procedures to report and track suspicious activity.
For more guidance, visit CISA’s [ICS webpage](https://www.cisa.gov/ics) and review resources like Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.
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Conclusion
While CVE-2025-11009 has a medium severity score and requires local access for exploitation, its potential impact on critical manufacturing sectors cannot be underestimated. Organizations using Mitsubishi Electric GT Designer3 must prioritize mitigations, including network segmentation, secure remote access, and endpoint protection, to prevent unauthorized access to GOT2000 and GOT1000 devices.
As of now, no public exploitation of this vulnerability has been reported, but proactive measures are essential to safeguard industrial operations. Stay vigilant, apply patches as they become available, and adhere to cybersecurity best practices to mitigate risks effectively.
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References
[^1]: Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). "[ICS Advisory (ICSA-25-350-04) Mitsubishi Electric GT Designer3](https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-advisories/icsa-25-350-04)". Retrieved 2025-01-24.
[^2]: Mitsubishi Electric. "[Security Advisory: GT Designer3 Vulnerability](https://www.mitsubishielectric.com/en/psirt/vulnerability/pdf/2025-01.pdf)". Retrieved 2025-01-24.
[^3]: National Vulnerability Database (NVD). "[CVE-2025-11009 Detail](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-11009)". Retrieved 2025-01-24.