CVE-2025-11697 is a vulnerability identified in Rockwell Automation's Studio 5000® Simulation Interface, specifically affecting versions 2.02 and earlier. The flaw is a local code execution issue stemming from improper handling of path traversal sequences in the software's API. This vulnerability allows any Windows user with local access to the system to exploit the path traversal to extract arbitrary files from the system. More critically, it enables execution of scripts with Administrator privileges upon system reboot, effectively granting elevated persistent control over the affected machine. The vulnerability does not require prior authentication or user interaction, increasing its risk profile. The CVSS 4.0 score of 8.9 reflects the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity and no privileges required. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200, indicating exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized actors. Although no exploits have been observed in the wild yet, the potential for misuse in industrial control systems is significant, given the role of Studio 5000 in programming and simulating industrial automation processes. The lack of available patches at the time of publication necessitates immediate mitigation through access restrictions and monitoring.

For European organizations, particularly those in manufacturing, energy, and critical infrastructure sectors that utilize Rockwell Automation's Studio 5000 software, this vulnerability presents a severe risk. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive configuration files, intellectual property, and operational data. More dangerously, attackers could gain Administrator-level code execution, enabling them to alter control logic, disrupt industrial processes, or establish persistent footholds. This could result in operational downtime, safety hazards, financial losses, and damage to reputation. The vulnerability's local nature means that insider threats or attackers who gain initial foothold on a system could escalate privileges rapidly. Given Europe's reliance on automated industrial systems and the strategic importance of sectors like energy and manufacturing, the impact could extend to national critical infrastructure, potentially affecting supply chains and public safety.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigations: 1) Restrict local user access to systems running Studio 5000 Simulation Interface to only trusted personnel; enforce least privilege principles. 2) Monitor file system and API usage for unusual path traversal attempts or unauthorized file extraction activities. 3) Implement application whitelisting and script execution controls to prevent unauthorized scripts from running at reboot. 4) Isolate systems running this software within segmented network zones to limit lateral movement in case of compromise. 5) Regularly audit and review local user accounts and permissions on affected systems. 6) Engage with Rockwell Automation for timely patch deployment once available and test patches in controlled environments before production rollout. 7) Consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting privilege escalation and suspicious script execution behaviors. 8) Educate local users about the risks of unauthorized software usage and the importance of reporting anomalies.