CVE-2021-27473 Rockwell Automation Connected Components Workbench Improper Input Validation

Medium 6.1 Published 23 Mar 2022 Updated 16 Apr 2025

A local attacker can exploit improper input validation in archive extraction to execute arbitrary code and escalate privileges via a malicious file.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: Not needed
Attackable: Local or same network only
Victim action needed: A user has to click or open something
Fix: None listed

What is CVE-2021-27473?

CVE-2021-27473 is a medium-severity path traversal vulnerability in Rockwell Automation Connected Components Workbench, published on 23 Mar 2022. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

Official description

Rockwell Automation Connected Components Workbench v12.00.00 and prior does not sanitize paths specified within the .ccwarc archive file during extraction. This type of vulnerability is also commonly referred to as a Zip Slip. A local, authenticated attacker can create a malicious .ccwarc archive file that, when opened by Connected Components Workbench, will allow the attacker to gain the privileges of the software. If the software is running at SYSTEM level, the attacker will gain admin level privileges. User interaction is required for this exploit to be successful.

Weakness: CWE-22

Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-27473?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Rockwellautomation Connected Components Workbench.

How do I fix CVE-2021-27473?

No fix has been published for CVE-2021-27473 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

Upgrade, and resolve every user-supplied path against an allowed base folder before opening it. More about Path traversal.

Is CVE-2021-27473 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-27473 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Sources

Also known as GHSA-jcq6-j25v-gr6g.