Yokogawa CENTUM VP Hardcoded Password Vulnerability Exposes Industrial Systems
Executive Summary
In March 2026, a hardcoded password vulnerability (CVE-2025-7741) was identified in Yokogawa's CENTUM VP distributed control system. This flaw allows attackers with access to the Human Interface Station (HIS) to log in using the 'PROG' user account, potentially modifying system permissions. Affected versions include CENTUM VP R5.01.00 to R5.04.20, R6.01.00 to R6.12.00, and R7.01.00. Exploitation requires prior access to the HIS screen controls, limiting the immediate risk but highlighting significant security concerns in industrial control systems. (cvedetails.com)
This incident underscores the critical need for robust authentication mechanisms in industrial environments. The reliance on hardcoded credentials poses substantial risks, especially when combined with potential insider threats or physical access breaches. Organizations must prioritize updating authentication protocols and implementing comprehensive security measures to mitigate such vulnerabilities.
Why This Matters Now
The discovery of CVE-2025-7741 in Yokogawa's CENTUM VP system highlights the ongoing risks associated with hardcoded credentials in industrial control systems. As cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure continue to evolve, it is imperative for organizations to reassess and strengthen their authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access and potential operational disruptions.
Attack Path Analysis
An attacker with access to the Human Interface Station (HIS) exploits a hardcoded password vulnerability in Yokogawa CENTUM VP systems to log in as the PROG user. Depending on the PROG user's permissions, the attacker may escalate privileges to perform unauthorized operations or configuration changes. The attacker then moves laterally within the network to access other critical systems. Establishing command and control, the attacker exfiltrates sensitive data. Finally, the attacker may disrupt operations, leading to potential safety hazards or financial losses.
Kill Chain Progression
Initial Compromise
Description
An attacker with access to the HIS exploits a hardcoded password vulnerability in Yokogawa CENTUM VP systems to log in as the PROG user.
Related CVEs
CVE-2025-7741
CVSS 2.1Yokogawa CENTUM VP contains a hardcoded password for the PROG user account, potentially allowing unauthorized access and modification of permissions.
Affected Products:
Yokogawa CENTUM VP – >=R5.01.00, <R5.04.20, >=R6.01.00, <R6.12.00, vR7.01.00
Exploit Status:
no public exploit
MITRE ATT&CK® Techniques
Hardcoded Credentials
Change Credential
Valid Accounts
Default Accounts
Domain Accounts
Local Accounts
Cloud Accounts
Potential Compliance Exposure
Mapping incident impact across multiple compliance frameworks.
NIST SP 800-53 – Authenticator Management
Control ID: IA-5
PCI DSS 4.0 – Secure Authentication Features
Control ID: 8.2.3
NYDFS 23 NYCRR 500 – Access Privileges
Control ID: 500.07
DORA – ICT Risk Management Framework
Control ID: Article 6
CISA ZTMM 2.0 – Identity
Control ID: Pillar 1
NIS2 Directive – Cybersecurity Risk Management Measures
Control ID: Article 21
Sector Implications
Industry-specific impact of the vulnerabilities, including operational, regulatory, and cloud security risks.
Oil/Energy/Solar/Greentech
Critical vulnerability in Yokogawa CENTUM VP industrial control systems threatens energy infrastructure operations through hardcoded authentication bypass enabling unauthorized system access.
Chemicals
Manufacturing process control systems face significant risk from CENTUM VP hardcoded password vulnerability, potentially allowing attackers to modify critical operational permissions.
Food Production
Food manufacturing facilities using affected Yokogawa systems vulnerable to authentication bypass attacks that could compromise production safety and regulatory compliance controls.
Utilities
Power generation and distribution systems at risk from industrial control vulnerability enabling privilege escalation and unauthorized modifications to critical infrastructure operations.
Sources
- Yokogawa CENTUM VPhttps://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-advisories/icsa-26-092-02Verified
- Yokogawa Security Advisory YSAR-26-0003https://web-material3.yokogawa.com/1/39281/files/YSAR-26-0003-E.pdfVerified
Frequently Asked Questions
Cloud Native Security Fabric Mitigations and ControlsCNSF
Aviatrix Zero Trust CNSF is pertinent to this incident as it could likely limit the attacker's ability to move laterally and exfiltrate data by enforcing strict segmentation and identity-aware policies.
Control: Cloud Native Security Fabric (CNSF)
Mitigation: The attacker's initial access may be constrained by identity-aware policies, potentially limiting unauthorized login attempts.
Control: Zero Trust Segmentation
Mitigation: The attacker's ability to escalate privileges could be limited by enforcing strict segmentation policies, reducing unauthorized access to sensitive operations.
Control: East-West Traffic Security
Mitigation: The attacker's lateral movement would likely be constrained by monitoring and controlling east-west traffic, reducing unauthorized access to other systems.
Control: Multicloud Visibility & Control
Mitigation: The attacker's command and control channels may be detected and disrupted through enhanced visibility and control across multicloud environments.
Control: Egress Security & Policy Enforcement
Mitigation: The attacker's data exfiltration efforts would likely be limited by enforcing strict egress policies, reducing unauthorized data transfers.
The attacker's ability to disrupt operations could be limited by reducing their access to critical systems, potentially mitigating safety hazards or financial losses.
Impact at a Glance
Affected Business Functions
- Process Control Operations
- System Configuration Management
Estimated downtime: N/A
Estimated loss: N/A
Potential unauthorized access to system configurations and process control settings.
Recommended Actions
Key Takeaways & Next Steps
- • Implement Zero Trust Segmentation to enforce least privilege access and prevent unauthorized lateral movement.
- • Utilize East-West Traffic Security to monitor and control internal network communications, detecting and blocking suspicious activities.
- • Deploy Threat Detection & Anomaly Response systems to identify and respond to unusual behaviors indicative of compromise.
- • Apply Egress Security & Policy Enforcement to control outbound traffic, preventing data exfiltration and unauthorized communications.
- • Transition to secure authentication methods, such as Windows Authentication Mode, to eliminate reliance on hardcoded passwords.
