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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- CVSS v4 8.5
- ATTENTION: Low attack complexity
- Vendor: Rockwell Automation
- Equipment: FactoryTalk Viewpoint
- Vulnerability: Improper Handling of Insufficient Permissions or Privileges
2. RISK EVALUATION
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could result in full privilege escalation.
3. TECHNICAL DETAILS
3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS
The following version of FactoryTalk Viewpoint is affected:
- FactoryTalk Viewpoint: Version 14.00 and prior
3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW
3.2.1 EXECUTION WITH UNNECESSARY PRIVILEGES CWE-250
A security issue exists in FactoryTalk ViewPoint version 14.0 or below due to improper handling of MSI repair operations. During a repair, attackers can hijack the cscript.exe console window, which runs with SYSTEM privileges. This can be exploited to spawn an elevated command prompt, enabling full privilege escalation.
CVE-2025-7973 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 7.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).
A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2025-7973. A base score of 8.5 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).
3.3 BACKGROUND
- CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Critical Manufacturing
- COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
- COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: United States
3.4 RESEARCHER
Rockwell Automation reported this vulnerability to CISA.
4. MITIGATIONS
Update the affected product to version 15.00 or later.
If those using the affected software are not able to upgrade the version, security best practices should be applied.
CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability, such as:
- 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. This vulnerability is not exploitable remotely.
5. UPDATE HISTORY
- August 14, 2025: Initial Republication