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Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk AssetCentre

Act Now10ICS-CERT ICSA-21-091-01Apr 1, 2021
Attack VectorNetwork
Auth RequiredNone
ComplexityLow
User InteractionNone needed
Summary

FactoryTalk AssetCentre versions 10.00 and earlier contain multiple vulnerabilities (CWE-502 insecure deserialization, CWE-676 unsafe function use, CWE-78 OS command injection, CWE-89 SQL injection) that allow unauthenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands, inject SQL, or achieve remote code execution. These vulnerabilities affect asset management and control system integration across manufacturing and utility operations. Rockwell Automation recommends upgrading to version 11 or later. Organizations unable to upgrade should implement IPsec and use built-in security features per QA46277.

What this means
What could happen
An unauthenticated attacker with network access to FactoryTalk AssetCentre could execute arbitrary commands or SQL injection attacks, potentially allowing them to modify or delete asset data, disrupt manufacturing operations, or gain control over connected industrial equipment.
Who's at risk
Manufacturing plants and utilities using FactoryTalk AssetCentre v10 or earlier for asset management and control system integration should prioritize this update. This affects any organization running Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk infrastructure for PLCs, drives, and networked industrial devices.
How it could be exploited
An attacker sends a specially crafted network request to the FactoryTalk AssetCentre service on port 443 or its configured port. The request exploits command injection, SQL injection, or deserialization flaws (CWE-502, CWE-78, CWE-89) without requiring authentication. If successful, the attacker executes arbitrary commands with the privileges of the AssetCentre service process, which typically runs with elevated permissions in the control system network.
Prerequisites
  • Network access to FactoryTalk AssetCentre service port (default 443)
  • No valid credentials required
remotely exploitableno authentication requiredlow complexitycritical severity (CVSS 10.0)arbitrary command executionSQL injectionno patch available for v10 and earlier
Exploitability
Low exploit probability (EPSS 0.4%)
Affected products (1)
ProductAffected VersionsFix Status
FactoryTalk AssetCentre: v10.00 and earlier≤ 10.00v11 or later
Remediation & Mitigation
0/4
Do now
0/3
WORKAROUNDIf upgrade cannot be performed immediately, enable built-in security features in FactoryTalk AssetCentre and follow guidance in QA46277
HARDENINGConfigure IPsec to restrict network access to FactoryTalk AssetCentre and limit client connections to authorized engineering workstations and servers only
HARDENINGReview and restrict network access to FactoryTalk AssetCentre port using firewall rules to only authorized hosts
Schedule — requires maintenance window
0/1

Patching may require device reboot — plan for process interruption

HOTFIXUpgrade FactoryTalk AssetCentre to version 11 or later
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