OTPulse

Rockwell Automation Arena

Plan PatchCVSS 7.8ICS-CERT ICSA-25-100-07Apr 7, 2025
Rockwell Automation
Attack path
Attack VectorLocal
Auth RequiredNone
ComplexityLow
User InteractionRequired
Summary

Rockwell Automation Arena versions 16.20.08 and earlier contain memory safety vulnerabilities (CWE-457, CWE-787, CWE-125, CWE-121) that could allow an attacker with local access to execute arbitrary code or disclose sensitive information. These vulnerabilities require user interaction, such as opening a malicious Arena project file. Arena version 16.20.09 or later addresses these issues.

What this means
What could happen
An attacker with local access to a system running Rockwell Automation Arena could run arbitrary code or extract sensitive information, potentially compromising process design data, credentials, or plant configuration details.
Who's at risk
Engineering teams using Rockwell Automation Arena for simulation and process design. This affects any organization that uses Arena for manufacturing, logistics, or process simulation on Windows workstations—primarily automotive, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and general manufacturing plants.
How it could be exploited
An attacker must have local access to a machine running Arena. They could exploit memory safety flaws (buffer overflow, use-after-free, out-of-bounds read) to execute arbitrary code or read protected memory. User interaction (opening a malicious file or project) may be required to trigger the vulnerability.
Prerequisites
  • Local access to the Arena workstation
  • User must open or interact with a malicious Arena project file or input
Requires local access to workstationRequires user interaction to triggerAffects engineering/design systems, not direct process controlMemory safety vulnerabilities (buffer overflow, use-after-free)
Exploitability
Unlikely to be exploited — EPSS score 0.3%
Affected products (2)
1 with fix1 pending
ProductAffected VersionsFix Status
Local Code ExecutionAll versionsNo fix yet
Arena: <=16.20.08≤ 16.20.0816.20.09+
Remediation & Mitigation
0/3
Schedule — requires maintenance window
0/1

Patching may require device reboot — plan for process interruption

HOTFIXUpdate Rockwell Automation Arena to version 16.20.09 or later
Long-term hardening
0/2
HARDENINGRestrict Arena workstation access to authorized engineering personnel only
HARDENINGImplement file integrity monitoring or restrict loading of Arena projects from untrusted sources
View full CISA ICS-CERT advisory
API: /api/v1/advisories/4b4046e7-fe6d-4ebe-8b59-f5672cfd448d

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