CVE-2025-11698 Overview
CVE-2025-11698 is a denial-of-service vulnerability affecting Rockwell Automation 5380, 5480, and 5580 controllers running boot firmware versions lower than 1.072. A remote unauthenticated attacker can write invalid file data to the controller, forcing the device into a Major Non-Recoverable Fault (MNRF) state. The flaw is tracked under CWE-120 (buffer copy without checking size of input) and is reachable over the network without user interaction. Successful exploitation halts industrial control processes and requires manual intervention to restore controller operation.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated network attackers can trigger a non-recoverable fault on 5380/5480/5580 controllers, stopping automation processes until physical recovery is performed.
Affected Products
- Rockwell Automation 5380 controllers with boot firmware below 1.072
- Rockwell Automation 5480 controllers with boot firmware below 1.072
- Rockwell Automation 5580 controllers with boot firmware below 1.072
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-07-14 - CVE-2025-11698 published to NVD
- 2026-07-14 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-11698
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the boot firmware of the affected ControlLogix and CompactLogix families. The firmware processes incoming file data without validating input length against destination buffer bounds. An attacker who can reach the controller over the network can submit malformed file content and drive the device into a Major Non-Recoverable Fault (MNRF). Once in MNRF, the controller stops executing its program logic and cannot resume automatically. Recovery requires operator intervention at the device, which extends outage duration in operational technology (OT) environments.
Root Cause
The root cause is classified as [CWE-120], a classic buffer overflow condition. Boot firmware below version 1.072 fails to enforce size checks when copying file data into internal buffers. Invalid or oversized file payloads corrupt controller state, and the runtime responds by transitioning to MNRF as a fail-safe.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based with low attack complexity and no privileges or user interaction required. An attacker with network reachability to the controller sends crafted file data through the controller's file handling interface. Because industrial controllers are frequently exposed within flat OT networks, an intruder who reaches the automation segment can trigger the fault against any vulnerable device. Refer to the Rockwell Automation Security Advisory SD1781 for the vendor's technical description.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-11698
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected transition of a 5380, 5480, or 5580 controller into Major Non-Recoverable Fault (MNRF) state.
- Controller diagnostic logs showing invalid file write operations preceding the fault.
- Loss of communication with Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) followed by manual recovery events in maintenance records.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor controller status via EtherNet/IP or CIP diagnostic queries for MNRF transitions.
- Inspect network traffic to controllers for anomalous file transfer or firmware-related CIP service codes from unexpected sources.
- Correlate SCADA and Historian alarms indicating simultaneous controller dropouts, which may signal coordinated exploitation attempts.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable syslog forwarding from Rockwell controllers and network gateways into a centralized security data lake for OT event correlation.
- Baseline authorized engineering workstations that legitimately push files to controllers and alert on deviations.
- Deploy passive OT network monitoring to flag CIP file write operations from hosts outside the engineering VLAN.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-11698
Immediate Actions Required
- Inventory all 5380, 5480, and 5580 controllers and identify boot firmware versions below 1.072.
- Restrict network access to controllers using firewalls and ACLs so only authorized engineering workstations can reach CIP services.
- Schedule firmware upgrades during planned maintenance windows to remediate the flaw at the boot layer.
Patch Information
Rockwell Automation addresses the issue in boot firmware version 1.072 and later. Consult the Rockwell Automation Security Advisory SD1781 for firmware download links, model-specific upgrade instructions, and compatibility notes before applying updates.
Workarounds
- Segment OT networks from IT and remote-access networks using a demilitarized zone (DMZ) and enforce unidirectional data flows where feasible.
- Disable or block unused CIP services and file transfer capabilities on controllers that do not require them.
- Require VPN and multi-factor authentication for any remote engineering session that terminates on the plant floor.
- Establish a documented MNRF recovery procedure so operators can restore controllers quickly if exploitation occurs.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
