Rockwell Automation RSLinx

Summary

Rockwell Automation's RSLinx Classic software, versions up to 4.50.00, contains a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability (CVE-2020-13573) that could allow remote code execution or denial of service. This vulnerability affects critical infrastructure sectors worldwide, including manufacturing, energy, and water. Rockwell Automation recommends upgrading to version 4.60.00 or later, or applying a specific patch.

Full text

ICS Advisory Rockwell Automation RSLinx Release DateJune 16, 2026 Alert CodeICSA-26-167-02 Related topics: Industrial Control System Vulnerabilities , Industrial Control Systems View CSAF Summary Successful exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to a denial of service, where the application will become unresponsive and will not recover on its own. The following versions of RSLinx Classic Third-Party Vulnerability are affected: RSLinx Classic <=4.50.00 (CVE-2020-13573) CVSS Vendor Equipment Vulnerabilities v3 7.5 Rockwell Automation RSLinx Classic Third-Party Vulnerability Out-of-bounds Read Background Critical Infrastructure Sectors: Critical Manufacturing, Energy, Food and Agriculture, Water and Wastewater Countries/Areas Deployed: Worldwide Company Headquarters Location: United States Vulnerabilities Expand All + CVE-2020-13573 The affected product is vulnerable to a stack-based buffer overflow, which may allow an attacker to remotely execute arbitrary code. View CVE Details Affected Products RSLinx Classic Third-Party Vulnerability Vendor:Rockwell Automation Product Version:Rockwell Automation RSLinx Classic: <=4.50.00 Product Status:known_affected Remediations MitigationRockwell Automation recommends that customers using the affected software should upgrade to version 4.60.00 or later. Customers who are not able to upgrade to one of the corrected versions, should consider applying the available patch (BF31213) for their current version or applying the recommended security best practices.https://www.rockwellautomation.com/en-us/trust-center/security-advisories/advisory.SD1774.html Relevant CWE: CWE-125 Out-of-bounds Read Metrics CVSS Version Base Score Base Severity Vector String 3.1 7.5 HIGH CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H 4.0 8.7 HIGH CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N Acknowledgments Rockwell Automation reported this vulnerability 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 this vulnerability. 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 this vulnerability has been reported to CISA at this time. Revision History Initial Release Date: 2026-06-16 Date Revision Summary 2026-06-16 1 Initial Republication of Rockwell Automation Advisory SD1774 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, Energy Sector, Food and Agriculture Sector, Water and Wastewater Systems Topics: Industrial Control System Vulnerabilities, Industrial Control Systems Please share your thoughts We recently updated our anonymous product survey; we welcome your feedback. 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Indicators of Compromise

• cve — CVE-2020-13573

Entities