CVE-2025-24480: Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

CVE-2025-24480 Overview

CVE-2025-24480 is a critical Remote Code Execution vulnerability affecting Rockwell Automation products. The vulnerability stems from a lack of input sanitation, which could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands or code with high privileges on affected systems. This OS Command Injection flaw (CWE-78) enables unauthenticated attackers to compromise industrial control systems from a network-accessible position.

Critical Impact

Remote attackers can execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges without authentication, potentially leading to full system compromise of industrial control systems.

Affected Products

• Rockwell Automation industrial control products (see vendor advisory for specific versions)

Discovery Timeline

• January 28, 2025 - CVE-2025-24480 published to NVD
• January 28, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-24480

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as an OS Command Injection (CWE-78) flaw that enables remote code execution. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the affected product. When user-supplied input is processed, it is not properly sanitized before being passed to system command execution functions, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary OS commands.

The attack can be executed remotely over the network without requiring any prior authentication or user interaction. Successful exploitation grants attackers the ability to execute commands with high privileges, potentially compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the target system.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-24480 is improper input validation. The affected software fails to adequately sanitize user-controlled input before incorporating it into OS command execution contexts. This allows specially crafted malicious input to break out of the intended command structure and execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely without requiring authentication credentials or any user interaction. The attacker crafts malicious input containing command injection payloads that, when processed by the vulnerable application, result in the execution of arbitrary OS commands with the privileges of the application process.

Given the industrial control system context, exploitation could potentially impact critical infrastructure operations and safety systems. The vulnerability allows command execution as a high-privileged user, significantly amplifying the potential damage from successful exploitation.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-24480

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual outbound network connections from industrial control systems to unknown external IP addresses
• Unexpected process spawning or command execution on affected Rockwell Automation devices
• Anomalous system calls or shell command execution in application logs
• Creation of unauthorized user accounts or privilege escalation events

Detection Strategies

• Monitor network traffic for suspicious patterns targeting Rockwell Automation devices, particularly malformed or injection-style requests
• Implement network segmentation monitoring to detect lateral movement attempts from compromised ICS components
• Deploy intrusion detection signatures specifically targeting command injection patterns in industrial protocols
• Review application logs for evidence of command injection attempts or unusual input patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable comprehensive logging on all affected Rockwell Automation devices and forward logs to a centralized SIEM
• Implement real-time alerting for any command execution anomalies on industrial control systems
• Establish baseline behavior for normal operations and alert on deviations
• Monitor for reconnaissance activity targeting Rockwell Automation product interfaces

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-24480

Immediate Actions Required

• Review the Rockwell Automation Security Advisory for specific remediation guidance
• Apply vendor-provided patches as soon as they become available for affected products
• Implement network segmentation to isolate affected industrial control systems from untrusted networks
• Restrict network access to affected devices using firewall rules and access control lists

Patch Information

Rockwell Automation has released security guidance for this vulnerability. Organizations should consult the official Rockwell Automation Security Advisory SD1719 for detailed patch information, affected product versions, and specific remediation steps.

Workarounds

• Implement strict network access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable systems to trusted networks only
• Deploy web application firewalls (WAF) or input validation proxies to filter malicious command injection payloads
• Disable unnecessary network services and interfaces on affected devices
• Implement allowlisting for permitted commands and inputs where possible

# Network segmentation example - restrict access to ICS devices
# Firewall rule to limit access to Rockwell Automation devices
iptables -A INPUT -s <trusted_network>/24 -d <ics_device_ip> -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -d <ics_device_ip> -j DROP