CVE-2020-14478

Local file disclosure and service interruption via XXE

Published Feb 24, 2022 · Updated Apr 17, 2025

XXE in Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Services Platform 6.11.00 and earlier allows local users to read files and interrupt services. A weakly configured XML parser resolves attacker-supplied external entities against local or remote content while running through system-level services. An authenticated local account is required; successful exploitation discloses any locally readable file or causes a denial-of-service condition.

CVSS severity8.4
High
EPSS probability0.34%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

XXE in Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Services Platform 6.11.00 and earlier allows local users to read files and interrupt services. A weakly configured XML parser resolves attacker-supplied external entities against local or remote content while running through system-level services. An authenticated local account is required; successful exploitation discloses any locally readable file or causes a denial-of-service condition.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-14478
Published
Feb 24, 2022
Updated
Apr 17, 2025
Vendor
Rockwell Automation
Product
FactoryTalk Services Platform
Classifications
CWE-611, T1005
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 24, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 17, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=unspecified <=6.11.00

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Rockwell Automation · FactoryTalk Services Platformversion=unspecified <=6.11.00

Published CVSS scores

7.1CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H
8.4Rockwell AutomationCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:H
7.1NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H
5.6NIST NVDAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:N/A:P

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-611Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference
T1005Data from Local System

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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