# CVE-2020-14516: Weak cryptography in Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Services Platform

> Improper SHA-256 implementation in Rockwell FactoryTalk allows attackers to bypass password hashing, potentially exposing credentials.

- **Severity:** Critical 10.0 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 18 Mar 2021
- **Updated:** 4 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-96wm-8v29-wg5g

## What is CVE-2020-14516?

CVE-2020-14516 is a critical vulnerability in Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Services Platform, published on 18 Mar 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

In Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Services Platform Versions 6.10.00 and 6.11.00, there is an issue with the implementation of the SHA-256 hashing algorithm with FactoryTalk Services Platform that prevents the user password from being hashed properly.

Weakness: CWE-916 (Use of Password Hash With Insufficient Computational Effort)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-14516?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Rockwellautomation Factorytalk Services Platform.

## How do I fix CVE-2020-14516?

No fix has been published for CVE-2020-14516 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2020-14516 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-14516 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Services Platform

- [CVE-2021-22681](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-22681/): Rockwell Multiple Products Insufficient Protected Credentials (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2024-21917](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-21917/): Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk® Service Platform Service Token Vulnerability (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2020-6967](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-6967/): Deserialization in Rockwell Automation All versions of FactoryTalk Diagnostics software, a subsystem of the FactoryTalk Services Platform (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2024-21915](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-21915/): Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk® Service Platform Elevated Privileges Vulnerability Through Web Service Functionality (critical 9.0)
- [CVE-2020-12033](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-12033/): Missing authorization in Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Services Platform (high 8.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2020-14516 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2020-14516 is a critical vulnerability in Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Services Platform, published on 18 Mar 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-14516 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Services Platform. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-14516/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-14516/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-14516
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-14516
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2020-14516

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-14516/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.