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CVE-2026-27546 – Authentication Bypass / Admin Takeover – Pepperl+Fuchs ICE2/ICE3 IO-Link Master Ser

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Summary

CVE-2026-27546 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability affecting the web management interface of Pepperl+Fuchs ICE2 and ICE3 IO-Link Master devices (also sold under the Phoenix Contact and Carlo Gavazzi Automation brands). A flaw in the _account_log function allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to log in as an administrator even when accounts are properly configured, granting full control of the device. The issue carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 (Critical).

Technical details

  • Root cause: The _account_log function used by the device’s web-based administration interface contains a logic flaw (CWE-288, Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel) that allows session/authentication checks to be circumvented.
  • Trigger conditions: No valid credentials or prior authentication are required; the flaw is reachable by any actor with network access to the device’s web management service.
  • Attack vector: Network (AV:N), low attack complexity, no privileges or user interaction required.
  • Impact: Successful exploitation grants the attacker full administrative access to the device, resulting in complete loss of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the IO-Link master and the industrial I/O data/configuration it controls.
  • The flaw was identified by Gabriele Quagliarella and Luca Borzacchiello of Nozomi Networks and disclosed via CERT@VDE.

Affected software

  • Pepperl+Fuchs: ICE2-8IOL1-G65L-V1D, ICE2-8IOL-G65L-V1D, ICE2-8IOL-K45P-RJ45, ICE2-8IOL-K45S-RJ45, ICE3-8IOL1-G65L-V1D, ICE3-8IOL-G65L-V1D, ICE3-8IOL-G65L-V1D-Y, ICE3-8IOL-K45P-RJ45, ICE3-8IOL-K45S-RJ45 — firmware versions 1.0.0 to below 1.7.4
  • Phoenix Contact: IOL MA8 PN DI8, IOL MA8 EIP DI8 — firmware versions 1.0.0 to below 1.7.4
  • Carlo Gavazzi Automation: YL212CEI8M1IO, YN115CEI8RPIO, YL212CPN8M1IO, YN115CPN8RPIO — firmware versions 1.0.0 to below 1.7.4

Severity

  • CVSS v3.1 Base Score: 9.8 (Critical)
  • Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
  • CWE-288: Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel

Mitigation and recommended actions

  • Immediate: Update affected devices to firmware version 1.7.8, which addresses this vulnerability along with several related flaws disclosed in the same advisory batch (including a critical IODD file upload RCE and multiple command injection/information disclosure issues).
  • If immediate patching is not possible:
    • Restrict network access to the device’s web management interface to trusted management networks only; do not expose it directly to the internet or untrusted networks.
    • Segment/isolate affected IO-Link master devices from corporate IT networks.
    • Require VPN access for any remote administration of these devices.
    • Monitor for unexpected administrative logins or configuration changes on affected devices.

References

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