PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief
CVE-2025-6376 Rockwell Automation CVE debrief
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Rockwell Automation Arena simulation software versions 16.20.08 and earlier. The flaw stems from an out-of-bounds write condition when processing DOE (Design of Experiments) files, which could allow arbitrary code execution if a user opens a maliciously crafted file. This vulnerability requires user interaction for exploitation—a legitimate user must execute the crafted code. The issue was disclosed in CISA advisory ICSA-24-345-06 Update B on February 3, 2026, adding CVE-2025-6376 to an existing advisory that originally published December 10, 2024. Rockwell Automation has released version 16.20.09 to address this vulnerability.
- Vendor
- Rockwell Automation
- Product
- Arena
- CVSS
- HIGH 7
- CISA KEV
- Not listed in stored evidence
- Original CVE published
- 2024-12-10
- Original CVE updated
- 2026-06-23
- Advisory published
- 2024-12-10
- Advisory updated
- 2026-06-23
Who should care
Organizations using Rockwell Automation Arena for discrete event simulation in industrial environments, particularly those exchanging DOE files externally or with untrusted parties. OT security teams and engineers responsible for simulation workflow security should prioritize patching.
Technical summary
CVE-2025-6376 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability (CWE-787) in Rockwell Automation Arena's handling of DOE (Design of Experiments) files. The vulnerability exists in versions 16.20.08 and earlier. When a user opens a maliciously crafted DOE file, the software writes beyond allocated memory boundaries, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution. The attack vector is local (AV:L) with high attack complexity (AC:H) and requires user interaction (UI:R). The vulnerability was added to CISA advisory ICSA-24-345-06 in Update B on February 3, 2026. Rockwell Automation has released version 16.20.09 as a fix.
Defensive priority
HIGH
Recommended defensive actions
- Upgrade Rockwell Automation Arena to version 16.20.09 or later to remediate this vulnerability.
- Avoid loading untrusted Arena model files, particularly DOE files from unverified sources.
- Hold the Control key when loading files to prevent VBA file stream execution as a temporary mitigation.
- Implement Rockwell Automation's security best practices for industrial control systems.
- Apply CISA's Stakeholder-Specific Vulnerability Categorization (SSVC) for environment-specific prioritization.
Evidence notes
CVE published 2024-12-10; advisory modified 2026-02-03 to add CVE-2025-6376 in Update B. CVSS 3.1 score 7.0 (HIGH). Affected product: Rockwell Automation Arena <=16.20.08. CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write). Exploitation requires user interaction with malicious DOE file.
Sources and references
Verified primary and authoritative sources
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CVE-2025-6376 CVE Program record
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-6376
CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.
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CVE-2025-6376 NVD vulnerability detail
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-6376
NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.
Supplemental references
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Source item URL
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cisagov/CSAF/develop/csaf_files/OT/white/2024/icsa-24-345-06.json
cisa_csaf
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Source reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-advisories/icsa-24-345-06
Reference
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Source reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ics/alerts/ICS-ALERT-10-301-01
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
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Source reference
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ncas/tips/ST04-014
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.