CVE-2017-6015 in Automation FactoryTalk Activation
Summary
by MITRE
Without quotation marks, any whitespace in the file path for Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Activation version 4.00.02 remains ambiguous, which may allow an attacker to link to or run a malicious executable. This may allow an authorized, but not privileged local user to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges on the system. CVSS v3 base score: 8.8, CVSS vector string: (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H). Rockwell Automation has released a new version of FactoryTalk Activation, Version 4.01, which addresses the identified vulnerability. Rockwell Automation recommends upgrading to the latest version of FactoryTalk Activation, Version 4.01 or later.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6015 affects Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Activation version 4.00.02 and represents a classic path traversal and privilege escalation issue that stems from improper handling of file paths containing whitespace characters. This flaw exists in the software's file path resolution mechanism where the absence of quotation marks in file paths creates ambiguity that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows a local user who is authenticated to the system to potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing normal security controls that would typically prevent such privilege escalation. The CVSS v3 base score of 8.8 indicates a high-severity vulnerability with local access requirements but significant impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
The technical flaw manifests when the FactoryTalk Activation software processes file paths that contain whitespace characters without proper quotation handling. This creates a parsing ambiguity where the system may misinterpret the intended file path, allowing an attacker to manipulate the execution flow by placing malicious executables in strategic locations within the file system. The vulnerability specifically targets the activation and licensing mechanisms of the software where file path resolution occurs, enabling an attacker to trick the system into executing unintended code. This issue is classified under CWE-22 as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" by leveraging local vulnerabilities to gain elevated system privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of the FactoryTalk Activation software's security model. An authorized local user who would normally have restricted privileges can leverage this flaw to gain administrative access to the system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects industrial control systems where FactoryTalk Activation is deployed, creating risks for critical infrastructure environments where such systems control manufacturing processes, automation, and operational technology. The attack vector requires local access but the privilege escalation capability means that even a low-privilege user account could potentially be exploited to gain full system control. Organizations running this software version face significant risk as the vulnerability can be exploited without requiring network access or specialized tools beyond basic local system access.
The recommended mitigation for CVE-2017-6015 involves immediate upgrading to Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Activation version 4.01 or later, which includes patches addressing the path handling and quotation mechanism issues. System administrators should prioritize this upgrade across all affected industrial control systems and verify that the updated software properly handles file paths with whitespace characters. Additionally, organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit local system access to only authorized personnel, reducing the attack surface for such local privilege escalation vulnerabilities. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous file execution patterns and unauthorized privilege escalation attempts. The fix addresses the core issue by implementing proper quotation handling for file paths and ensuring that whitespace characters within paths are properly escaped or quoted to prevent ambiguous parsing. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in industrial control systems and the need for regular security updates in operational technology environments where software security is often overlooked in favor of operational continuity.