HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2017-6015
HIGH

CVE-2017-6015

CWE-428Published: May 11, 2018· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

7.8
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

Without quotation marks, any whitespace in the file path for Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Activation version 4.00.02 remains ambiguous, which may allow an attacker to link to or run a malicious executable. This may allow an authorized, but not privileged local user to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges on the system. CVSS v3 base score: 8.8, CVSS vector string: (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H). Rockwell Automation has released a new version of FactoryTalk Activation, Version 4.01, which addresses the identified vulnerability. Rockwell Automation recommends upgrading to the latest version of FactoryTalk Activation, Version 4.01 or later.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2017-6015 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.

Exploitation requires low privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.

A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 7.8.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorLocal
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.Low
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected Vendors & Products

rockwellautomation1 product(s)
factorytalk activation
Source: NVD CPE · 1 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
Exploit-DB
Offensive Security exploit database
GitHub PoC Search
Community PoC repositories
Rapid7 / Metasploit
Metasploit module search
PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.

Official Patches & Advisories

ADVISORYhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/96996
ADVISORYhttps://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSA-17-047-02
ADVISORYhttps://rockwellautomation.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/939382
ADVISORYhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/96996
ADVISORYhttps://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSA-17-047-02
ADVISORYhttps://rockwellautomation.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/939382

All References (6)

→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/96996Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
https://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSA-17-047-02Third Party Advisory · US Government Resource
→
https://rockwellautomation.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/939382Permissions Required · Vendor Advisory
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/96996Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
https://ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSA-17-047-02Third Party Advisory · US Government Resource
→
https://rockwellautomation.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/939382Permissions Required · Vendor Advisory

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2017-6015
CVSS Score7.8 / 10
SeverityHIGH
WeaknessCWE-428
CISA KEVNo
Affected1 vendor(s)
PublishedMay 11, 2018

Related CVEs (CWE-428)

CVE-2019-17658
9.8
CVE-2022-36344
9.8
CVE-2019-8459
9.8
CVE-2020-9292
9.8
CVE-2020-14521
9.8
CVE-2025-8070
9.2

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2017-6015 in threat intel feeds
  • →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWATCH.COM. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.
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