Arena® Simulation: Stack-based Buffer Overflow
CVE-2025-11918 is a high-severity stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Arena® Simulation from Rockwell Automation, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.3 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. Affected Arena® Simulation versions: Version 16.20.10 and prior. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.17% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Arena to 16.20.11 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on rockwellautomation.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockwell Automation | Arena® Simulation | Version 16.20.10 and prior | Not stated |
| Rockwell Automation | Arena | before 16.20.11 | 16.20.11 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 7.1 | High | CNA (rockwellautomation.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.3 | High | NVD |
Official description
Rockwell Automation 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.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Stack-based Buffer Overflow
The product writes past the end of a buffer that was allocated on the stack.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use automatic buffer overflow detection mechanisms that are offered by certain compilers or compiler extensions. Examples include: the Microsoft Visual Studio /GS flag, Fedora/Red Hat FORTIFY_SOURCE GCC flag, StackGuard, and ProPolice, which provide various mechanisms including canary-based detection and range/index checking. D3-SFCV (Stack Frame Canary Validation) from D3FEND discusses canary-based detection in detail.
- Use an abstraction library to abstract away risky APIs. Not a complete solution.
- Implement and perform bounds checking on input.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in Arena® Simulation
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Recent Stack-based Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.4 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.4 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
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