Tweet
View CSAF
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
2. RISK EVALUATION
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow local attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Arena.
3. TECHNICAL DETAILS
3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS
The following Rockwell Automation products are affected:
3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW
3.2.1 STACK-BASED BUFFER OVERFLOW CWE-121
Arena suffers from a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the parsing of DOE files. Local attackers are able to exploit this issue to potentially execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Arena. Exploiting the vulnerability requires opening a malicious DOE file.
CVE-2025-11918 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.0 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).
A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2025-11918. A base score of 7.1 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).
3.3 BACKGROUND
3.4 RESEARCHER
Michael Heinzl reported this vulnerability to CISA.
4. MITIGATIONS
Rockwell Automation recommends users upgrade Arena Simulation to version 16.20.11 or later.
Users who are unable to upgrade the affected software to a correct version should use Rockwell Automation's security best practices.
For more information about this issue, see advisory SD1763 on the Rockwell Automation security page.
CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability, such as:
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.
CISA also recommends users take the following measures to protect themselves from social engineering attacks:
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
Click here to view the article.
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- CVSS v4 7.1
- ATTENTION: Exploitable from a local network
- Vendor: Rockwell Automation
- Equipment: Arena Simulation
- Vulnerability: Stack-based Buffer Overflow
2. RISK EVALUATION
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow local attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Arena.
3. TECHNICAL DETAILS
3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS
The following Rockwell Automation products are affected:
- Arena Simulation: Version 16.20.10 and prior
3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW
3.2.1 STACK-BASED BUFFER OVERFLOW CWE-121
Arena suffers from a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the parsing of DOE files. Local attackers are able to exploit this issue to potentially execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Arena. Exploiting the vulnerability requires opening a malicious DOE file.
CVE-2025-11918 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.0 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).
A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2025-11918. A base score of 7.1 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/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
Michael Heinzl reported this vulnerability to CISA.
4. MITIGATIONS
Rockwell Automation recommends users upgrade Arena Simulation to version 16.20.11 or later.
Users who are unable to upgrade the affected software to a correct version should use Rockwell Automation's security best practices.
For more information about this issue, see advisory SD1763 on the Rockwell Automation security page.
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.
CISA also recommends users take the following measures to protect themselves from social engineering attacks:
- Do not click web links or open attachments in unsolicited email messages.
- Refer to Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scams for more information on avoiding email scams.
- Refer to Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks for more information on social engineering attacks.
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
- November 25, 2025: Initial publication
Click here to view the article.