CVE-2025-6376 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Rockwell Automation's Arena® simulation software, specifically versions up to and including 16.20.08. The root cause is improper input validation (CWE-20) when processing DOE files, which are used within Arena for simulation purposes. An attacker can craft a malicious DOE file that, when opened by a user in the vulnerable Arena software, causes the application to write beyond the boundaries of an allocated object in memory. This out-of-bounds write can lead to remote code execution (RCE) on the target system. Exploitation requires user interaction, specifically opening the malicious DOE file within the Arena software. The vulnerability is more severe if the software is run with administrative privileges, as this would allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with elevated rights, potentially compromising the entire system. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates the attack vector is local (AV:L), with high attack complexity (AC:H), requiring user interaction (UI:A), and no privileges required (PR:N). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a high level (VC:H, VI:H, VA:H). There are no known exploits in the wild as of the publication date, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-20, highlighting improper input validation as the core issue. This vulnerability poses a significant risk to organizations using Arena® for simulation, especially in industrial and manufacturing environments where Rockwell Automation products are prevalent.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-6376 can be substantial, particularly in sectors relying on industrial automation and simulation software such as manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and energy. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on critical systems, potentially disrupting simulation workflows, corrupting data, or enabling further lateral movement within the network. If Arena® is run with administrative privileges, the attacker could gain full control over affected systems, leading to data breaches, operational downtime, or sabotage of industrial processes. Given the reliance on Rockwell Automation products in European industrial environments, this vulnerability could affect supply chain integrity and production continuity. The requirement for user interaction limits mass exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially if attackers use social engineering to trick users into opening malicious DOE files. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for mitigation, but the high CVSS score and potential for severe impact necessitate prompt action.

1. Restrict the execution context of Arena® software to the least privilege necessary; avoid running the application with administrative rights to limit the impact of potential exploitation. 2. Implement strict file handling policies, including disabling or restricting the opening of DOE files from untrusted sources or network locations. 3. Educate users on the risks of opening unsolicited or suspicious DOE files, emphasizing cautious handling of simulation files received via email or external media. 4. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block anomalous behavior related to Arena® processes. 5. Monitor logs and network activity for unusual events associated with Arena® usage, such as unexpected file accesses or process executions. 6. Coordinate with Rockwell Automation for timely patch deployment once available, and test updates in controlled environments before production rollout. 7. Consider network segmentation to isolate systems running Arena® from broader enterprise networks to reduce lateral movement risk in case of compromise.