Critical Privilege Escalation Vulnerability in Inductive Automation Ignition (ICSA-25-352-01)

Critical Privilege Escalation Flaw Discovered in Inductive Automation Ignition

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued an advisory (ICSA-25-352-01) warning of a critical vulnerability in Inductive Automation’s Ignition software, which could allow attackers to achieve SYSTEM-level code execution on Windows systems running the Ignition Gateway service.

Technical Details

The vulnerability, tracked under ICSA-25-352-01, affects multiple versions of Inductive Automation Ignition. Successful exploitation could grant an unauthenticated attacker direct SYSTEM privileges, enabling full control over the host operating system. The flaw resides in the Ignition Gateway service, a core component of the industrial automation platform.

CISA has published a CSAF (Common Security Advisory Framework) document detailing the vulnerability, though specific technical mechanisms (e.g., CVE ID, CVSS score) have not been publicly disclosed at this time.

Impact Analysis

• High Severity: SYSTEM-level access provides attackers with unrestricted control over affected Windows systems.
• Industrial Risk: Ignition is widely used in operational technology (OT) environments, including critical infrastructure sectors such as energy, manufacturing, and water treatment.
• Exploitation Potential: While no active exploits have been reported, the flaw’s low complexity and high impact make it an attractive target for threat actors.

Affected Versions & Mitigation

CISA’s advisory does not specify the exact vulnerable versions of Ignition. However, organizations are urged to:

1. Apply Patches Immediately: Inductive Automation is expected to release security updates. Monitor their official security advisories for details.
2. Restrict Network Access: Limit exposure of Ignition Gateway services to trusted networks only.
3. Implement Least Privilege: Ensure service accounts run with minimal necessary permissions.
4. Monitor for Suspicious Activity: Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect unusual SYSTEM-level processes.

Next Steps

Security teams should prioritize this advisory, particularly in OT environments where Ignition is deployed. Review CISA’s full advisory and the accompanying CSAF document for updates on affected versions and patch availability.

For ongoing updates, follow CISA’s ICS Advisories page.