# Rockwell Studio 5000 Logix Designer improper input validation

Published: 2025-08-15 · Severity: routine · Sectors: manufacturing, energy
Canonical: https://vorant.io/reports/dd1bff2d-ffeb-5360-9372-db269bdcab59/rockwell-studio-5000-logix-designer-improper-input-validation

> Improper input validation in Rockwell Studio 5000 Logix Designer versions 36–37 allows local code execution; update to 37.00.02.

Rockwell Automation has published a CISA advisory for a local improper input validation vulnerability in Studio 5000 Logix Designer versions 36.00.02 through 37.00.02. The vulnerability (CVE-2025-7971) stems from unsafe handling of environment variables. If a specified path lacks a valid file, Logix Designer crashes; however, an attacker with local network access, low privileges, and user interaction may execute arbitrary code without crashing the device. CVSS v4 score is 7.3.

Exploitation requires local network access with low privileges and user interaction; it cannot be exploited remotely and has high attack complexity, limiting its practical risk. No public exploitation has been reported to CISA. The vulnerability affects industrial control system environments in chemical and critical manufacturing sectors worldwide.

Rockwell Automation recommends updating to version 37.00.02 or later. Organizations unable to upgrade should apply defense-in-depth practices: isolate control system networks from the internet and business networks, place systems behind firewalls, and use VPNs for necessary remote access. No immediate active threat is present, but patching is recommended for affected deployments.

## Mentioned in this report

- Vulnerabilities: CVE-2025-7971

## Detection guidance (public sample)

### Studio 5000 Logix Designer Spawning Command Interpreter

ATT&CK: T1059

Detects Rockwell Studio 5000 Logix Designer processes spawning shells or script interpreters, which could indicate code execution through unsafe environment-variable handling (CVE-2025-7971). Auto-generated starting point — validate and tune in your environment before deploying. IOC matches can false-positive on shared infrastructure and decay as adversary infrastructure rotates.

```yaml
title: Studio 5000 Logix Designer Spawning Command Interpreter
description: Detects Rockwell Studio 5000 Logix Designer processes spawning a shell
  or script interpreter. Logix Designer is an engineering application that does not
  normally launch cmd, PowerShell or script hosts, so a child like this may indicate
  arbitrary code execution via unsafe environment-variable handling (CVE-2025-7971).
  Generalises on the parent/child relation, not on specific payloads.
tags:
- attack.execution
- attack.t1059
- attack.t1059.001
- attack.t1059.003
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection_parent:
    ParentImage|contains:
    - \Rockwell Software\Studio 5000\
    - \LogixDesigner.exe
  selection_child:
    Image|endswith:
    - \cmd.exe
    - \powershell.exe
    - \pwsh.exe
    - \wscript.exe
    - \cscript.exe
    - \mshta.exe
    - \rundll32.exe
    - \regsvr32.exe
  condition: selection_parent and selection_child
falsepositives:
- Engineering workstations where Logix Designer plugins or add-on tools legitimately
  launch cmd.exe for helper scripts
- Vendor installer or update routines launched from the Studio 5000 directory
level: medium
id: 6c39913d-b1d2-5208-817a-82754c829314
status: experimental
author: Vorant
references:
- https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-advisories/icsa-25-226-29
```

Behavioural rules are generated from public reporting — validate in your environment before deploying.

Source reporting: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-advisories/icsa-25-226-29

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