CVE-2025-3449 in Automation Runtime
Summary
by MITRE • 10/07/2025
Generation of Predictable Numbers or Identifiers vulnerability in B&R Industrial Automation Automation Runtime.This issue affects Automation Runtime: from 6.0 before 6.4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-3449 represents a significant security weakness in B&R Industrial Automation's Automation Runtime software, specifically impacting versions 6.0 through 6.3. This flaw falls under the category of predictable number or identifier generation, which is classified as CWE-338 within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The issue stems from the software's inability to generate sufficiently random or unpredictable values for critical system components, creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability affects industrial automation environments where predictable identifiers could compromise system integrity and operational security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests in the automation runtime's use of insufficiently random number generation algorithms for creating identifiers, session tokens, or cryptographic keys. This weakness allows attackers to potentially predict future values that should remain unpredictable, thereby undermining the security mechanisms designed to protect industrial control systems. The flaw operates at the core of the runtime's cryptographic implementation, where standard random number generators are either weak or improperly seeded, leading to patterns that can be reverse-engineered by adversaries with sufficient computational resources and knowledge of the system's behavior. This predictable behavior creates opportunities for privilege escalation, session hijacking, or unauthorized access to industrial processes that rely on these identifiers for security enforcement.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-3449 extends beyond traditional information technology concerns into the critical domain of industrial control systems where reliability and security are paramount. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially gain unauthorized access to industrial automation processes, manipulate control sequences, or disrupt critical manufacturing operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where the automation runtime controls physical processes, as predictable identifiers could enable attackers to inject malicious commands or alter system states without proper authorization. This represents a significant risk to operational technology environments that follow the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and are subject to standards such as IEC 62443 for industrial automation security.
Organizations utilizing affected B&R Automation Runtime versions should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to version 6.4 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed. Additional protective measures should include network segmentation to limit access to automation systems, implementation of intrusion detection systems monitoring for anomalous behavior patterns, and regular security assessments to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the 'Initial Access' and 'Privilege Escalation' phases, where predictable identifiers serve as a vector for establishing persistent access to industrial control systems. Security teams should also consider implementing additional authentication mechanisms and monitoring for unusual patterns in identifier usage that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include thorough testing of updated systems to ensure that the random number generation algorithms now produce sufficiently unpredictable values while maintaining system performance and operational requirements.