How severe is CVE-2023-2638?

CVE-2023-2638 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.9, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.

Is CVE-2023-2638 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (10th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2023-2638?

CVE-2023-2638 primarily affects Rockwellautomation Factorytalk Policy Manager. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2023-2638?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2023-2638 published?

CVE-2023-2638 was published on 2023-06-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2023-2638

CVE-2023-2638 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Rockwellautomation Factorytalk Policy Manager with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.9. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-287.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.9)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (10th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-287
Affected product: Rockwellautomation Factorytalk Policy Manager
Published: 2023-06-13
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Rockwell Automation's FactoryTalk System Services does not verify that a backup configuration archive is password protected. Improper authorization in FTSSBackupRestore.exe may lead to the loading of malicious configuration archives. This vulnerability may allow a local, authenticated non-admin user to craft a malicious backup archive, without password protection, that will be loaded by FactoryTalk System Services as a valid backup when a restore procedure takes places. User interaction is required for this vulnerability to be successfully exploited.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-2638?: Rockwell Automation's FactoryTalk System Services does not verify that a backup configuration archive is password protected. Improper authorization in FTSSBackupRestore.exe may lead to the loading of malicious configuration archives. This vulnerability may allow a local, authenticated non-admin user to craft a malicious backup archive, without password protection, that will be loaded by FactoryTalk System Services as a valid backup when a restore procedure takes places. User interaction is required for this vulnerability to be successfully exploited.
How severe is CVE-2023-2638?: CVE-2023-2638 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.9, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.
Is CVE-2023-2638 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (10th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-2638?: CVE-2023-2638 primarily affects Rockwellautomation Factorytalk Policy Manager. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-2638?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2023-2638 published?: CVE-2023-2638 was published on 2023-06-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://rockwellautomation.custhelp.com/app/answers/answer_view/a_id/1139683

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:rockwellautomation:factorytalk_policy_manager:6.11.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:rockwellautomation:factorytalk_system_services:6.11.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Rockwellautomation Factorytalk Policy Manager

CVE-2023-2637 — High (CVSS 7.3): Rockwell Automation's FactoryTalk System Services uses a hard-coded cryptographic key to generate administrator…
CVE-2024-6325 — Medium (CVSS 6.5): The v6.40 release of Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk® Policy Manager CVE-2021-22681…
CVE-2024-6326 — Medium (CVSS 5.5): An exposure of sensitive information vulnerability exists in the Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk® System Service. A…
CVE-2023-2639 — Medium (CVSS 4.1): The underlying feedback mechanism of Rockwell Automation's FactoryTalk System Services that transfers the…

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Other CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) vulnerabilities

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CVE-2026-42822 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Local Disconnected Operations allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges…
CVE-2026-20182 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): May 2026: This security advisory provides the details and fix information for a vulnerability that was discovered and…

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