Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Activation Manager

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

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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

https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-advisories/icsa-26-244-04

2026-09-01 12:00 UTC

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