# CVE-2021-32960: Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Services Platform Protection Mechanism Failure

> Remote authenticated attackers can bypass FactoryTalk Security policies based on computer name, gaining privileges equivalent to the client machine.

- **Severity:** High 8.5 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 1 Apr 2022
- **Updated:** 17 Apr 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-59hr-796q-5p86

## What is CVE-2021-32960?

CVE-2021-32960 is a high-severity vulnerability in Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Services Platform, published on 1 Apr 2022. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Services Platform v6.11 and earlier, if FactoryTalk Security is enabled and deployed contains a vulnerability that may allow a remote, authenticated attacker to bypass FactoryTalk Security policies based on the computer name. If successfully exploited, this may allow an attacker to have the same privileges as if they were logged on to the client machine.

Weakness: CWE-863 (Incorrect Authorization), CWE-693 (Protection Mechanism Failure)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-32960?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Rockwellautomation Factorytalk Services Platform.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-32960?

No fix has been published for CVE-2021-32960 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2021-32960 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-32960 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-2020-14516](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-14516/): Weak cryptography in Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Services Platform (critical 10.0)
- [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)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2021-32960 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-32960 is a high-severity vulnerability in Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Services Platform, published on 1 Apr 2022. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-32960 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-2021-32960/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-32960/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-32960
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-32960
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-32960

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-32960/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.