---
title: "Critical Vulnerability in Inductive Automation Ignition Grants SYSTEM-Level Access"
short_title: "Ignition flaw allows SYSTEM-level code execution"
description: "CVE-2025-13911 in Inductive Automation Ignition enables attackers to execute SYSTEM-level code on Windows. Learn mitigation steps and affected versions."
author: "Vitus"
date: 2025-01-24
categories: [Cybersecurity, Vulnerabilities]
tags: [cve-2025-13911, scada, ignition, privilege-escalation, critical]
score: 0.85
cve_ids: [CVE-2025-13911]
---
TL;DR
A critical vulnerability (CVE-2025-13911) in Inductive Automation Ignition allows attackers to execute SYSTEM-level code on Windows systems running the Ignition Gateway service. The flaw stems from excessive permissions granted to the Ignition service account, enabling malicious Python scripts to run with elevated privileges. Users are urged to apply mitigations immediately to prevent exploitation.
---
Main Content
Introduction
Industrial control systems (ICS) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) platforms are prime targets for cyberattacks due to their critical role in operational technology (OT) environments. A newly disclosed vulnerability in Inductive Automation Ignition, a widely used SCADA solution, highlights the risks posed by improper privilege management. CVE-2025-13911 could allow attackers to gain SYSTEM-level code execution on affected Windows systems, posing severe risks to critical infrastructure sectors.
---
Key Points
- Vulnerability Impact: Successful exploitation grants attackers direct SYSTEM-level code execution on Windows hosts running the Ignition Gateway service.
- Affected Versions: Inductive Automation Ignition versions 8.1.x and 8.3.x are confirmed to be vulnerable.
- Attack Vector: The flaw arises from the Ignition service account having excessive system permissions, enabling malicious Python scripts to execute with elevated privileges.
- Critical Sectors: The vulnerability impacts critical manufacturing, energy, and information technology sectors worldwide.
- Mitigation: Inductive Automation has released guidance to reduce risk, including restricting Python library imports and monitoring project file uploads.
---
Technical Details
#### Root Cause
The vulnerability (CVE-2025-13911) stems from the absence of proper security controls in Inductive Automation Ignition’s Python scripting environment. Specifically:
- The Ignition Gateway service runs with SYSTEM-level permissions on Windows, which are unnecessary for standard operations.
- Authenticated administrators can upload malicious project files containing Python scripts with bind shell capabilities.
- These scripts execute with the same privileges as the Ignition Gateway process, enabling unrestricted code execution.
#### Exploitation Mechanism
1. An attacker with administrative access uploads a malicious project file containing a Python script designed to establish a bind shell.
2. The Ignition Gateway service executes the script with SYSTEM-level permissions, granting the attacker full control over the host operating system.
3. Alternative code execution patterns could achieve similar results, amplifying the risk.
---
Impact Assessment
#### Affected Systems
- Vendor: Inductive Automation
- Product: Inductive Automation Ignition (SCADA platform)
- Versions: 8.1.x and 8.3.x
- Operating System: Windows
#### Potential Consequences
- Unauthorized Access: Attackers could gain full control over the host system, enabling data theft, sabotage, or lateral movement within the network.
- Operational Disruption: Compromised SCADA systems could lead to industrial process failures, endangering critical infrastructure.
- Reputation Damage: Organizations failing to mitigate the vulnerability risk regulatory penalties and loss of customer trust.
#### CVSS Metrics
- Base Score: 6.4 (Medium)
- Vector String: [CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H](https://www.first.org/cvss/calculator/3.1#CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H)
- Attack Complexity: High (requires authenticated access and specific conditions)
---
Mitigation Steps
Inductive Automation has provided the following recommendations to reduce the risk of exploitation:
1. Restrict Python Library Imports: Limit the Python libraries that can be imported and executed within the scripting environment.
2. Monitor Project File Uploads: Implement strict validation and monitoring of project files uploaded to the Ignition Gateway.
3. Follow Vendor Guidance: Refer to Inductive Automation’s [Trust Portal](https://inductiveautomation.com/trust) for updates and additional mitigations.
#### CISA-Recommended Practices
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) advises organizations to:
- Minimize Network Exposure: Ensure control system devices are not accessible from the internet.
- Isolate Control Systems: Locate SCADA networks behind firewalls and separate them from business networks.
- Use Secure Remote Access: Employ Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) for remote access, ensuring they are updated to the latest version.
- Perform Risk Assessments: Conduct impact analysis before deploying defensive measures.
For more details, refer to CISA’s [ICS webpage](https://www.cisa.gov/ics) and their [recommended practices](https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/services/ics-recommended-practices).
---
Conclusion
CVE-2025-13911 underscores the critical importance of least-privilege principles in industrial control systems. While the vulnerability requires authenticated access and specific conditions for exploitation, its potential impact on critical infrastructure cannot be overstated. Organizations using Inductive Automation Ignition must apply mitigations immediately and monitor for updates from the vendor. Proactive measures, such as network segmentation and strict access controls, are essential to reducing the risk of exploitation.
---
References
[^1]: CISA. "[ICS Advisory (ICSA-25-352-01) Inductive Automation Ignition](https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-advisories/icsa-25-352-01)". Retrieved 2025-01-24.
[^2]: NIST. "[CVE-2025-13911 Detail](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-13911)". Retrieved 2025-01-24.
[^3]: Inductive Automation. "[Trust Portal](https://inductiveautomation.com/trust)". Retrieved 2025-01-24.
[^4]: MITRE. "[CWE-250: Execution with Unnecessary Privileges](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/250.html)". Retrieved 2025-01-24.