Rockwell ControlLogix Ethernet Vulnerability Let Attackers Execute Remote Code

A critical security vulnerability has been discovered in Rockwell Automation’s ControlLogix Ethernet communication modules, potentially allowing remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on industrial control systems. 

The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-7353, affects multiple ControlLogix Ethernet modules and carries a maximum CVSS score of 9.8, indicating severe security implications for industrial automation environments. 

Key Takeaways
1. Critical flaw in Rockwell ControlLogix Ethernet modules due to the enabled web debugger agent.
2. Attackers can remotely execute code, dump memory, and control industrial systems.
3. Update immediately; implement network segmentation if patching is delayed.

Rockwell Automation published the security advisory on August 14, 2025, after discovering the flaw during internal testing procedures.

Insecure Default Configuration Flaw (CVE-2025-7353)

The CVE-2025-7353 vulnerability stems from an insecure default configuration in the web-based debugger (WDB) agent that remains enabled on production devices. 

This debugging interface, intended for development purposes, creates a significant attack vector when left active in operational environments. 

The vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote attackers to establish connections using specific IP addresses to access the WDB agent functionality.

The flaw is classified under CWE-1188: Initialization of a Resource with an Insecure Default, highlighting the fundamental security issue of shipping products with debugging capabilities enabled by default. 

The CVSS 3.1 vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H indicates that the vulnerability can be exploited over the network with low complexity, requires no privileges or user interaction, and provides high impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

The vulnerability impacts several ControlLogix Ethernet communication modules, including 1756-EN2T/D, 1756-EN2F/C, 1756-EN2TR/C, 1756-EN3TR/B, and 1756-EN2TP/A models running firmware version 11.004 or below. 

These modules serve as critical communication interfaces between ControlLogix programmable automation controllers (PACs) and Ethernet networks in industrial environments.

Successful exploitation enables attackers to perform memory dumps, modify system memory, and control the execution flow of the affected devices. 

This level of access could potentially allow attackers to manipulate industrial processes, access sensitive operational data, or disrupt manufacturing operations. 

The web-based debugger agent provides low-level system access typically reserved for authorized development and maintenance personnel.

Mitigations 

Rockwell Automation has released firmware version 12.001 to address the vulnerability across all affected ControlLogix Ethernet modules. 

Organizations should prioritize updating to this corrected version as the primary mitigation strategy. The update disables the insecure default configuration of the WDB agent, eliminating the primary attack vector.

For environments where immediate firmware updates are not feasible, Rockwell Automation recommends implementing comprehensive security best practices. 

These include network segmentation to isolate industrial control systems, implementation of proper firewall rules to restrict access to debugging interfaces, and continuous monitoring of network traffic for suspicious activities. 

Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their industrial automation infrastructure to identify similar vulnerabilities in other systems.

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