Quick answer
Direct answer
Risk scores
| CVSS metric | What it means |
|---|---|
| Attack vector (AV:L) | Local access needed |
| Attack complexity (AC:H) | High complexity |
| Attack requirements (AT:P) | Attack requirements present |
| Privileges required (PR:L) | Low privileges required |
| User interaction (UI:A) | Active user interaction |
| Confidentiality (VC:H) | High confidentiality impact |
| Integrity (VI:H) | High integrity impact |
| Availability (VA:H) | High availability impact |
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:H/AT:P/PR:L/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
About Rockwellautomation Studio 5000 Logix Designer
CVE-2026-9128 affects Rockwellautomation Studio 5000 Logix Designer, a product from Rockwellautomation. Before acting, confirm where Rockwellautomation Studio 5000 Logix Designer runs in your estate, who owns it and whether it is reachable from the internet, because exposure decides real risk more than the score alone.
What the flaw is
In plain terms: A code execution security issue exists within Studio 5000 Logix Designer® due to an unquoted search path in the External Tools configuration. The executable paths specified in the external tools configuration file are not properly quoted, and because these paths contain spaces, the operating system may resolve them to unintended executables placed earlier in the search order. If exploited, an attacker could plant a malicious executable in a location within the search path, resulting in arbitrary code execution with the same permissions of the user running the application.
Based on its CVSS vector, the flaw needs local or adjacent access, needs some level of access, and relies on a user taking an action. Apply the vendor fix and confirm exposure on internet facing and business critical assets first.
Affected versions and timeline
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product | Rockwellautomation Studio 5000 Logix Designer |
| Affected versions | Studio 5000 Logix Designer before 32.05; Studio 5000 Logix Designer from 33.00 before 33.03; Studio 5000 Logix Designer from 34.00 before 34.03; Studio 5000 Logix Designer 35.00 |
| Published | Jul 14, 2026 |
| Last modified | Aug 25, 2026 |
| Added to CISA KEV | Not listed |
| Assigning CNA | PSIRT@rockwellautomation.com |
How to detect it
- Inventory every instance of Rockwellautomation Studio 5000 Logix Designer and record the running version against the affected range above.
- Check external attack surface scans for internet facing instances of the component.
- Review logs on affected systems for unusual requests, errors or new processes around the vulnerable function.
- Confirm with an authenticated vulnerability scan once your scanner has a check for this CVE.
How to fix it
- Apply the fixed version of Rockwellautomation Studio 5000 Logix Designer named in the vendor advisory.
- If patching must wait, restrict network access to the affected service and put it behind authentication or a web application firewall rule.
- Rescan after the change to prove the exposure is gone, then close the ticket.
CTEM action plan
| CTEM stage | What to do for this CVE |
|---|---|
| Scope | Add every business service that depends on Rockwellautomation Studio 5000 Logix Designer to the current CTEM cycle. |
| Discover | Find all instances, including shadow and cloud deployments, and record versions and exposure. |
| Prioritize | Rank using EPSS and CVSS together with asset exposure and business impact. |
| Validate | Confirm the flaw is reachable and exploitable in your environment and that compensating controls work. |
| Mobilize | Assign the fix to the asset owner with a due date matched to the priority, then verify closure. |
CWE References
Technical References
Frequently asked questions
Related CVEs
A remote code execution security issue exists within Studio 5000 Logix Designer® due to incorrect authorization on a configuration file. This can allow any authenticated user to modify the paths of external tools configured within the application. If exploited, an attacker could alter the configuration to point to a malicious executable, resulting in arbitrary code execution when any user interacts with the external tools functionality.
A security issue exists within Arena® Simulation due to a memory corruption vulnerability in the siman.exe (Siman) component. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in an out-of-bounds write. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current process by convincing a user to open a malicious file.
A security issue exists within Arena® Simulation due to a memory corruption vulnerability in the linker.exe (Siman) component. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in an out-of-bounds write. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current process by convincing a user to open a malicious file.
A security issue exists within Arena® Simulation due to a memory corruption vulnerability in the expmt.exe (Siman) component. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in an out-of-bounds write. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current process by convincing a user to open a malicious file.
A security issue exists within Arena® Simulation due to a memory corruption vulnerability in the model.exe (Siman) component. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in an out-of-bounds write. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code in the context of the current process by convincing a user to open a malicious file.
A security issue exists within ArmorStart® LT that can result in a denial-of-service condition. During execution of the Achilles EtherNet/IP and CIP grammar tests, the device reboots unexpectedly, causing the Link State Monitor to go down for several seconds.
Earn your free CTEM certification.
Learn to scope, prioritize, validate and mobilize fixes for CVEs like CVE-2026-9128 with a free CTEM certification.
Beginner / Practitioner / Program Leader
Explore certifications