CVE-2011-4051: InduSoft Web Studio CEServer missing authentication allows remote code execution

Automated analysis

Generated by VULONE's analysis model from the NVD record, CISA KEV and EPSS data on 19 September 2026. Confidence: high.

critical priorityUnauthenticated remote code execution with CVSS 10.0 on an industrial HMI/SCADA platform, combined with a very high EPSS score, makes this a top remediation priority despite no KEV listing.

What it is

CEServer.exe in the Remote Agent module of InduSoft Web Studio 6.1 and 7.0 does not require authentication. A remote attacker can reach the service and, through file creation, DLL loading and process control, execute arbitrary code on the host.

Impact

An unauthenticated remote attacker gains full control of the affected system, with complete loss of confidentiality, integrity and availability. Because the product is an HMI/SCADA development and runtime platform, compromise can extend to connected industrial processes.

Attack surface

The flaw is in a network-reachable service (AV:N) with no authentication required (Au:N) and low attack complexity (AC:L). No user interaction is indicated by the description or vector.

Exploitation

The record is not listed in CISA KEV and no ransomware use is documented, but EPSS is very high at 0.691 (99.3rd percentile), indicating substantial predicted exploitation activity. Reference tags show only Patch and US Government Resource, with no public exploit tag.

What to do

• Apply the vendor hotfix from InduSoft (referenced as Patch) or upgrade to a fixed release; 6.1 and 7.0 are the affected versions named.
• Block or restrict network access to CEServer.exe / the Remote Agent service at the host and network perimeter so only trusted management hosts can reach it.
• If the Remote Agent is not required, disable or uninstall the CEServer component.
• Segment the HMI/SCADA network from general IT and internet access to limit reachability of the service.
• Monitor vendor and US-CERT ICS advisories for updated guidance on this product line.

Detection

• Monitor for network connections to the CEServer/Remote Agent port from untrusted hosts, especially outside maintenance windows.
• Alert on unexpected file creation and DLL load events in the InduSoft Web Studio installation directories.
• Watch for process creation or control activity spawned by CEServer.exe, particularly child processes not normally associated with the product.
• Review host logs for anomalous service interactions on systems running InduSoft Web Studio 6.1 or 7.0.

This assessment is produced automatically and is not human-reviewed. Verify against the vendor advisory before acting on it.