CVE-2021-33014: An attacker can gain VxWorks Shell after login due to hard-coded credentials on a KUKA KR C4 control software

Q: How do I fix CVE-2021-33014?

kr c4 firmware: upgrade to 8.7; kss: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2021-33014 being exploited?

CVE-2021-33014 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2021-33014 affect?

CVE-2021-33014 affects kr c4 firmware, kss. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). An attacker can gain VxWorks Shell after login due to hard-coded credentials on a KUKA KR C4 control software for versions prior to 8.7 or any product running KSS.

This month

HIGH 8.8UPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2021-33014 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affecting kr c4 firmware, kss. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An attacker can gain VxWorks Shell after login due to hard-coded credentials on a KUKA KR C4 control software for versions prior to 8.7 or any product running KSS.

Why this priority

High severity

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.8 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.9% (top 40%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-798
Published	2022-05-26
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): ICS-CERT · Vendor: kuka

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-05-26 17:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:54 UTCUpdated Record last modified

kuka kr c4 firmware UPGRADE

Affected: < 8.7

Fixed in: 8.7

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

kuka kss MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2021-33014?

kr c4 firmware: upgrade to 8.7; kss: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-33014 being exploited?

CVE-2021-33014 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2021-33014 affect?

CVE-2021-33014 affects kr c4 firmware, kss. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). An attacker can gain VxWorks Shell after login due to hard-coded credentials on a KUKA KR C4 control software for versions prior to 8.7 or any product running KSS.

How urgent is CVE-2021-33014?

Priority 46/100. High severity

Related CVEs

CVE-2021-33016 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE MITIGATE An attacker can gain full access (read/write/delete) to sensitive folders due to hard-coded credentials on KUK

References

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