Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Activation Manager
Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Activation Manager has a privilege escalation vulnerability.
Summary
A privilege escalation vulnerability (CVE-2026-16675) has been identified in Rockwell Automation's FactoryTalk Activation Manager, affecting versions V5.02 and below. The flaw allows an authenticated attacker with Windows credentials to hijack installer processes running with SYSTEM privileges, gaining full system access. Rockwell Automation recommends updating to version V5.03 to remediate.
Full text
ICS Advisory Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Activation Manager Release DateSeptember 01, 2026 Alert CodeICSA-26-244-04 Related topics: Industrial Control System Vulnerabilities , Industrial Control Systems View CSAF Summary The following versions of Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Activation Manager are affected: FactoryTalk Activation Manager V5.02_and_below (CVE-2026-16675) CVSS Vendor Equipment Vulnerabilities v3 7.8 Rockwell Automation Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Activation Manager Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts Background Critical Infrastructure Sectors: Critical Manufacturing Countries/Areas Deployed: Worldwide Company Headquarters Location: United States Vulnerabilities Expand All + CVE-2026-16675 A privilege escalation vulnerability exists within FactoryTalk Activation Manager. The vulnerability stems from custom actions in the installer that spawn visible console windows running with SYSTEM privileges during installation or repair operations. An authenticated attacker with Windows credentials could hijack these console windows to obtain a SYSTEM-level command prompt, allowing full access to all files, processes, and system resources. View CVE Details Affected Products Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Activation Manager Vendor:Rockwell Automation Product Version:Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Activation Manager V5.02_and_below Product Status:known_affected Remediations Vendor fixRockwell Automation recommends users update to software version V5.03. MitigationCustomers using the affected software who are not able to upgrade to one of the corrected versions should use Rockwell Automation's security best practices. Relevant CWE: CWE-307 Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts Metrics CVSS Version Base Score Base Severity Vector String 3.1 7.8 HIGH CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H 4.0 8.5 HIGH CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N Acknowledgments An anonymous security researcher reported this vulnerability to Rockwell Automation, who reported it to CISA Legal Notice and Terms of Use This product is provided subject to this Notification (https://www.cisa.gov/notification) and this Privacy & Use policy (https://www.cisa.gov/privacy-policy). Recommended Practices CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of these vulnerabilities. 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 these vulnerabilities has been reported to CISA at this time. Revision History Initial Release Date: 2026-09-01 Date Revision Summary 2026-09-01 1 Initial republication of Rockwell Automation advisory Legal Notice and Terms of Use This product is provided subject to this Notification and this Privacy & Use policy. Vendor Rockwell Automation Tags Sector: Critical Manufacturing Sector Topics: Industrial Control System Vulnerabilities, Industrial Control Systems Please share your thoughts We recently updated our anonymous product survey; we welcome your feedback. Related Advisories Sep 01, 2026 ICS Advisory | ICSA-26-244-06 Rockwell Automation Historian ME Sep 01, 2026 ICS Advisory | ICSA-26-244-01 Rockwell Automation RSLinx Classic Sep 01, 2026 ICS Advisory | ICSA-26-244-05 Rockwell Automation ControlLogix, CompactLogix, CompactLogix 5480, GuardLogix, Compact GuardLogix Sep 01, 2026 ICS Advisory | ICSA-26-244-02 Rockwell Automation Redundancy Module Configuration Tool
Indicators of Compromise
- cve — CVE-2026-16675