CVE-2024-21918

Code execution via malicious-file use-after-free

Published Mar 26, 2024 · Updated Aug 6, 2024

Use-after-free in Rockwell Automation Arena Simulation 16.00 through 16.20.02 allows attackers to execute code via a malicious file. Rockwell Automation has not disclosed the affected parser or the object that is accessed after its memory is freed. Execution requires a user to open the crafted file, after which attacker-controlled code runs in the Arena process and can compromise data or interrupt the application.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.23%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use-after-free in Rockwell Automation Arena Simulation 16.00 through 16.20.02 allows attackers to execute code via a malicious file. Rockwell Automation has not disclosed the affected parser or the object that is accessed after its memory is freed. Execution requires a user to open the crafted file, after which attacker-controlled code runs in the Arena process and can compromise data or interrupt the application.

The record

CVE
CVE-2024-21918
Published
Mar 26, 2024
Updated
Aug 6, 2024
Vendor
Rockwell Automation
Product
Arena Simulation
Classifications
CWE-416, CAPEC-100, T1203, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Mar 26, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 6, 2024Record 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=16.00.00 <=16.20.02
  2. Affected versionversion=Version 16.00 - 16.20.02

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Rockwell Automation · Arena Simulationversion=16.00.00 <=16.20.02; version=Version 16.00 - 16.20.02

Published CVSS scores

7.8Rockwell AutomationCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
CAPEC-100Overflow Buffers
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution
T1204.002Malicious File

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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