Critical Authentication Flaw Found in Carlson VASCO-B GNSS Receiver
Summary
CISA ICS-CERT has published advisory ICSA-26-113-02 disclosing CVE-2026-3893, a critical vulnerability (CVSS v3 score: 9.4) in Carlson Software VASCO-B GNSS Receiver affecting all versions prior to 1.4.0. The vulnerability, categorized as 'Missing Authentication for Critical Function,' could allow a remote attacker to alter critical system functions or disrupt device operation. The affected equipment is deployed worldwide in the Critical Manufacturing sector. CISA recommends minimizing network exposure, locating control system networks behind firewalls, and using VPNs for remote access. No known public exploitation specifically targeting this vulnerability has been reported to CISA at this time.
“Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could enable a remote attacker to alter critical system functions or disrupt device operation.”
Organizations operating Carlson VASCO-B GNSS Receivers in ICS/OT environments should treat this as a priority update: the CVSS 9.4 score and remote exploitability mean that any device with network exposure is at risk. The specific mitigation of 'not accessible from the Internet' is a binary control — network scanning to confirm external accessibility status should be an immediate action for asset managers in critical manufacturing, construction, or surveying firms using these devices. Vendor patch availability (version 1.4.0) should be confirmed with Carlson Software directly.
About this source
CISA's Industrial Control Systems team publishes vulnerability advisories specifically for OT, ICS, SCADA, and critical infrastructure software: Siemens, Schneider Electric, Rockwell Automation, ABB, Honeywell, Emerson, GE Digital, plus the supporting protocols. Around 65 advisories a month, each with a CVSS score, affected products, mitigation guidance, and where applicable a Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog entry. ICS advisories are higher-stakes than general IT vulns: a CVSS 7 in a PLC firmware can mean physical safety risk in a factory or grid asset. Watch this if you secure industrial networks, run a SOC for a manufacturer, or advise critical infrastructure operators. GovPing publishes each advisory with the affected vendor, CVSS, and CISA link.
What changed
CISA ICS-CERT published advisory ICSA-26-113-02 documenting CVE-2026-3893, a critical authentication flaw in Carlson Software VASCO-B GNSS Receiver (versions below 1.4.0) with a CVSS v3 score of 9.4. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to exploit missing authentication for critical functions, potentially altering system operations or disrupting device functionality. Affected parties in the Critical Manufacturing sector should immediately assess network exposure of VASCO-B devices, implement network segmentation behind firewalls, and update VPN solutions to the most current versions if remote access is required. Organizations should also review CISA's ICS cybersecurity recommended practices and report suspected malicious activity to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.
Affected organizations operating VASCO-B GNSS Receivers in industrial control system environments should prioritize inventory of affected devices, evaluate compensating controls, and monitor CISA advisories for vendor updates addressing CVE-2026-3893.
What to do next
- Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, ensuring they are not accessible from the Internet.
- Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls and isolating them from business networks.
- When remote access is required, use more secure methods, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), recognizing VPNs may have vulnerabilities and should be updated to the most current version available.
Archived snapshot
Apr 23, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
ICS Advisory
Carlson Software VASCO-B GNSS Receiver
Release Date
April 23, 2026
Alert Code ICSA-26-113-02 Related topics: Industrial Control System Vulnerabilities, Industrial Control Systems View CSAF
Summary
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could enable a remote attacker to alter critical system functions or disrupt device operation.
The following versions of Carlson Software VASCO-B GNSS Receiver are affected:
- VASCO-B GNSS Receiver <1.4.0 (CVE-2026-3893)
| CVSS | Vendor | Equipment | Vulnerabilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| v3 9.4 | Carlson Software | Carlson Software VASCO-B GNSS Receiver | Missing Authentication for Critical Function |
Background
- Critical Infrastructure Sectors: Critical Manufacturing
- Countries/Areas Deployed: Worldwide
- Company Headquarters Location: United States
Vulnerabilities
CVE-2026-3893
Acknowledgments
- Souvik Kandar reported this vulnerability to CISA
Legal Notice and Terms of Use
This product is provided subject to this Notification (https://www.cisa.gov/notification) and this Privacy & Use policy (https://www.cisa.gov/privacy-policy).
Recommended Practices
CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability.
Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, ensuring they are not accessible from the Internet.
Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls and isolating them from business networks.
When remote access is required, use more secure methods, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), recognizing VPNs may have vulnerabilities and should be updated to the most current version available. Also recognize VPN is only as secure as the connected devices.
CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.
CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage on cisa.gov/ics. Several CISA products detailing cyber defense best practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.
CISA encourages organizations to implement recommended cybersecurity strategies for proactive defense of ICS assets.
Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov/ics in the technical information paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B--Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.
Organizations observing suspected malicious activity should follow established internal procedures and report findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.
No known public exploitation specifically targeting this vulnerability has been reported to CISA at this time.
Revision History
- Initial Release Date: 2026-04-23
| Date | Revision | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-23 | 1 | Initial Publication |
Legal Notice and Terms of Use
This product is provided subject to this Notification and this Privacy & Use policy.
Tags
Sector: Critical Manufacturing Sector Topics: Industrial Control System Vulnerabilities, Industrial Control Systems
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