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CVE-2025-3288 Rockwell Automation CVE debrief

CVE-2025-3288 is a high-severity local code execution vulnerability in Rockwell Automation Arena. CISA’s advisory says the flaw stems from improper validation of user-supplied data, which can lead to reading outside the allocated memory buffer. If a legitimate user opens a malicious DOE file on an affected system, an attacker may be able to disclose information and execute arbitrary code.

Vendor
Rockwell Automation
Product
Arena
CVSS
HIGH 7.8
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2025-04-10
Original CVE updated
2025-05-06
Advisory published
2025-04-10
Advisory updated
2025-05-06

Who should care

Organizations using Rockwell Automation Arena, especially engineering and OT teams that handle DOE files on affected workstations. Security and IT administrators responsible for patching, endpoint controls, and file-handling policy should prioritize this issue.

Technical summary

The CISA CSAF advisory identifies Rockwell Automation Arena versions <=16.20.08 as affected. The vulnerability is described as a local code execution issue caused by improper validation of user-supplied data, resulting in an out-of-bounds read of allocated memory. Exploitation requires user interaction: a legitimate user must open a malicious DOE file. Successful exploitation may disclose information and allow arbitrary code execution on the system.

Defensive priority

High. The CVSS score is 7.8 and the impact includes code execution, but exploitation requires a user to open a malicious file. Prioritize patching affected hosts and reducing exposure to untrusted DOE files.

Recommended defensive actions

  • Upgrade Rockwell Automation Arena to V16.20.09 or later.
  • Confirm no systems remain on Arena versions <=16.20.08.
  • Apply Rockwell Automation’s published security best practices and CISA ICS recommended practices/defense-in-depth guidance.
  • Treat DOE files from untrusted or unexpected sources as suspicious and limit their handling on affected systems.
  • Validate patch deployment across all engineering and operator workstations that run Arena.

Evidence notes

The supplied CISA CSAF advisory (ICSA-25-100-07) states the affected product is Rockwell Automation Arena <=16.20.08 and recommends upgrading to V16.20.09 or later. It also states that exploitation requires a legitimate user to open a malicious DOE file and that the flaw can lead to information disclosure and arbitrary code execution. The supplied CVSS vector is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, which aligns with a local, user-interaction-dependent issue. The advisory revision on 2025-05-06 is listed as fixing typos only.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2025-3288 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-3288

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2025-3288 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-3288

    NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.

Supplemental references

  • Source item URL

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cisagov/CSAF/develop/csaf_files/OT/white/2025/icsa-25-100-07.json

    cisa_csaf

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-advisories/icsa-25-100-07

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/resources/ics-recommended-practices

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Cybersecurity_Best_Practices_for_Industrial_Control_Systems.pdf

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/topics/industrial-control-systems

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/sites/default/files/publications/emailscams0905.pdf

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ncas/tips/ST04-014

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ics/alerts/ICS-ALERT-10-301-01

    Reference

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.