Cyber Resilience

CVE-2020-12028

Access Control in Rockwellautomation Factorytalk View

Public PoCHigh EPSSAccess Control
Published
20 July 2020
Modified
21 November 2024
Patch / advisory
CVSS Score v3.1 7.3
Click a component to see what it means
Raw vectorCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
EPSS Score 0.53 99th percentile
Risk Priority 80 floored blend · peak EPSS

Summary

CVE-2020-12028 is a high-severity Missing Authentication for Critical Function (CWE-306) vulnerability in Rockwellautomation Factorytalk View. Its CVSS base score is 7.3 (High).

Operationally, ranked in the top 1% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.

OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)

EU & UK References

Vulnerability Data

In all versions of FactoryTalk View SEA remote, an authenticated attacker may be able to utilize certain handlers to interact with the data on the remote endpoint since those handlers do not enforce appropriate permissions. Rockwell Automation recommends enabling built…

more

in security features found within FactoryTalk View SE. Users should follow guidance found in knowledge base articles 109056 and 1126943 to set up IPSec and/or HTTPs.

CWE(s)

Related Threats

Likely ATT&CK TechniquesAI

Techniques this vulnerability likely enables, inferred from its description, weakness type, and attributed-actor tradecraft. Confidence is per-technique.

T1078 Valid Accounts Stealthconfidence: HIGH
Authenticated attacker leverages valid credentials to access remote endpoint handlers without proper permission enforcement.
T1213 Data from Information Repositories Collectionconfidence: MEDIUM
Missing permission checks on data handlers enable unauthorized interaction with data repositories on the remote system.
inferred from description + CWE · MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise v19.0

CVEs Like This One

CVE-2024-37368Same product: Rockwellautomation Factorytalk View
CVE-2024-45824Same product: Rockwellautomation Factorytalk View
CVE-2025-9064Same product: Rockwellautomation Factorytalk View
CVE-2024-21914Same product: Rockwellautomation Factorytalk View
CVE-2023-46289Same product: Rockwellautomation Factorytalk View
CVE-2024-37369Same product: Rockwellautomation Factorytalk View
CVE-2024-4609Same product: Rockwellautomation Factorytalk View
CVE-2024-37365Same product: Rockwellautomation Factorytalk View
CVE-2025-9063Same product: Rockwellautomation Factorytalk View
CVE-2024-7513Same product: Rockwellautomation Factorytalk View

Affected Assets

rockwellautomation
factorytalk view
all versions

Mitigating Controls

Control response

Prevent
Stop it (NIST 800-53)

Detect
Catch it (NIST detect / respond)

Harden
Shrink the surface (DISA STIG)
  • 6 hardening rules · 3 OS baselines
Validate
Prove the fix (OWASP ASVS)
  • V6.2.3
  • V6.4.4
  • V10.4.16
  • V12.1.3

Likely Mitigating Controls AI

Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.

addresses: CWE-306

Requires established identification and authentication to unlock, mitigating missing authentication for continued system access.

addresses: CWE-306

Requiring identification and rationale for actions allowed without authentication ensures critical functions are not left unprotected by forcing review of authentication requirements.

addresses: CWE-306

Authorizing mobile device connections to organizational systems ensures authentication is performed for this critical access function.

addresses: CWE-306

Guarantees critical functions are protected by mandatory invocation of the access control mechanism.

addresses: CWE-306

Auditing sessions makes it possible to detect access to critical functions without required authentication.

addresses: CWE-306

The assessment process confirms authentication is present and effective for critical functions, preventing exploitation from missing authentication.

addresses: CWE-306

Certification assesses that critical functions have required authentication controls in place.

addresses: CWE-306

Disabling non-essential functions and services eliminates the need to secure them, reducing exposure from missing authentication on unnecessary components.

Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI

Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.

PR.AA-03 full match
prevents

Directly requires authentication of users/services/hardware, which eliminates missing authentication for critical functions.

PR.AA-01 partial match
prevents

Managing identities and credentials is a prerequisite for authentication but does not itself enforce it on critical functions.

PR.AA-05 partial match
prevents

Defining and enforcing authorizations assumes prior authentication and therefore only partially mitigates the absence of authentication.

PR.IR-01 partial match
prevents

Protecting networks from unauthorized access can be undermined by missing authentication but does not address the root authentication gap.

Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI

Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.

prevents

The control explicitly calls for authentication before any critical function is reached, eliminating the possibility of bypassing authentication for high-value operations.

prevents

Mandating authentication requirements for critical functions at the requirements-gathering stage ensures that essential operations are not left unprotected by missing login or verification mechanisms.

mitigates

Mandating authentication for network services and critical functions stops attackers from invoking sensitive operations without credentials, closing gaps where authentication is absent for important capabilities.

prevents

Security engineering principles insist on authentication and authorization for every critical function, eliminating entry points that lack any access control mechanism.

none

Requiring strong authentication and access-privilege enablement for remote connections ensures that critical functions cannot be invoked without proper verification, closing a gap that would otherwise allow unauthenticated use.

none

Mandatory use of access cards, biometrics, or two-factor authentication ensures that critical physical areas cannot be entered without proper authentication.

References