---
title: "Critical Vulnerability in Rockwell Automation 432ES-IG3 Series A: DoS Risk"
short_title: "Rockwell Automation 432ES-IG3 Series A DoS flaw"
description: "Rockwell Automation 432ES-IG3 Series A affected by CVE-2025-9368, a high-severity DoS vulnerability. Learn mitigation steps and patch recommendations now."
author: "Vitus"
date: 2025-01-24
categories: [Cybersecurity, Vulnerabilities]
tags: [rockwell-automation, cve-2025-9368, dos, ics-security, patch-management]
score: 0.75
cve_ids: [CVE-2025-9368]
---
TL;DR
Rockwell Automation’s 432ES-IG3 Series A devices are vulnerable to CVE-2025-9368, a high-severity flaw that could trigger a denial-of-service (DoS) condition. Exploitation requires a manual power cycle to restore functionality. Users are urged to upgrade to V2.001.9 or later or implement recommended mitigations to reduce risk.
---
Main Content
Introduction
Rockwell Automation, a global leader in industrial automation, has disclosed a critical vulnerability in its 432ES-IG3 Series A devices. Tracked as CVE-2025-9368, this flaw could allow attackers to induce a denial-of-service (DoS) condition, disrupting operations in critical manufacturing environments. The vulnerability affects the GuardLink EtherNet/IP Interface and requires immediate attention from organizations relying on this hardware.
---
Key Points
- Vulnerability Impact: Successful exploitation could lead to a DoS condition, requiring a manual power cycle to recover the device.
- Affected Product: Rockwell Automation 432ES-IG3 Series A (Version V1.001).
- CVSS Score: 7.5 (High) with a vector of CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H.
- Mitigation: Upgrade to V2.001.9 or later or follow Rockwell Automation’s security best practices.
- Deployment Scope: The affected devices are deployed worldwide, primarily in critical manufacturing sectors.
---
Technical Details
#### Vulnerability Overview
CVE-2025-9368 is classified as an "Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling" vulnerability (CWE-770). This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to exploit the GuardLink EtherNet/IP Interface in the 432ES-IG3 Series A, leading to a DoS condition. The attack can be executed remotely without user interaction, making it particularly dangerous for exposed systems.
#### Affected Systems
- Vendor: Rockwell Automation
- Product: 432ES-IG3 Series A
- Version: V1.001
- Status: Known to be affected
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Impact Assessment
#### Potential Consequences
- Operational Disruption: A successful attack could halt production lines, leading to downtime and financial losses in critical manufacturing environments.
- Recovery Challenges: The requirement for a manual power cycle to restore functionality exacerbates the impact, especially in remote or unmanned facilities.
- Global Risk: With deployment spanning worldwide, the vulnerability poses a significant risk to organizations relying on Rockwell Automation’s industrial control systems (ICS).
#### Targeted Sectors
- Critical Manufacturing: The primary sector at risk, where uninterrupted operations are essential for productivity and safety.
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Mitigation Steps
#### Recommended Actions
1. Upgrade Immediately: Rockwell Automation recommends upgrading to V2.001.9 or later to mitigate the vulnerability. The patch is available on the [Rockwell Automation website](https://www.rockwellautomation.com).
2. Network Segmentation: Isolate control system networks from business networks using firewalls to minimize exposure.
3. Limit Internet Access: Ensure affected devices are not accessible from the Internet. If remote access is necessary, use secure methods like VPNs (with up-to-date security protocols).
4. Follow Best Practices: Adhere to Rockwell Automation’s [security best practices](https://www.rockwellautomation.com/en-us/company/about-us/sustainability/trust-center/security.html) for ICS environments.
5. Monitor for Exploitation: Organizations should monitor for signs of malicious activity and report any incidents to CISA for further analysis.
#### Additional Resources
- CISA Advisory: Review the full advisory [here](https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-advisories/icsa-26-013-01).
- Defensive Strategies: CISA’s [ICS Cybersecurity Best Practices](https://www.cisa.gov/ics) provide guidance on protecting industrial control systems.
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Conclusion
The discovery of CVE-2025-9368 underscores the importance of proactive cybersecurity measures in industrial environments. Organizations using Rockwell Automation 432ES-IG3 Series A devices must prioritize patching and implement defensive strategies to mitigate the risk of exploitation. While no active exploitation has been reported, the high severity of this vulnerability demands immediate action to safeguard critical infrastructure.
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References
[^1]: Rockwell Automation. "[Security Advisory for 432ES-IG3 Series A](https://www.rockwellautomation.com/en-us/company/about-us/sustainability/trust-center/security.html)". Retrieved 2025-01-24.
[^2]: CISA. "[ICS Advisory ICSA-26-013-01](https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-advisories/icsa-26-013-01)". Retrieved 2025-01-24.
[^3]: MITRE. "[CWE-770: Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/770.html)". Retrieved 2025-01-24.