Urgent Cybersecurity Alert: Critical RCE Vulnerabilities Threaten AVEVA Process Optimization

The landscape of industrial control systems just became significantly more precarious. Recent disclosures have revealed a series of critical vulnerabilities within AVEVA’s Process Optimization software (formerly known as ROMeo), a platform vital to industrial operations worldwide. These flaws, particularly a severe unauthenticated remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability under system privileges, pose an immediate and profound risk to the integrity and safety of crucial industrial processes.

On January 13, 2026, details emerged regarding seven distinct security weaknesses impacting Process Optimization 2024.1 and earlier versions. The most concerning of these permits an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the highest possible system-level privileges without requiring any authentication. This capability is a red flag for any organization leveraging AVEVA’s software, highlighting an urgent need for immediate action to mitigate potential devastating impacts.

Understanding the Threat: Unauthenticated System-Level RCE

The core of this critical disclosure centers on the ability of an unauthenticated actor to achieve remote code execution (RCE) with SYSTEM privileges. To clarify, “unauthenticated” means an attacker does not need a username, password, or any form of legitimate access to exploit the vulnerability. “Remote code execution” signifies that the attacker can run their own malicious code on the affected system from a distance. Finally, “SYSTEM privileges” means the attacker gains complete control over the compromised machine, essentially becoming the administrator of that system. This level of access could lead to:

• Disruption or manipulation of industrial processes.
• Data exfiltration, including sensitive operational data or intellectual property.
• Deployment of ransomware or other destructive malware.
• Lateral movement within the network to other critical infrastructure.

Given that AVEVA Process Optimization is frequently deployed in environments governing critical national infrastructure and manufacturing, the implications of such a breach are severe, potentially leading to operational shutdowns, safety incidents, and significant financial losses.

Detailed Vulnerability Breakdown

While the initial report highlighted seven vulnerabilities, the primary concern revolves around the critical RCE. Let’s examine the associated CVEs:

• CVE-2024-22002: This is the critical unauthenticated remote code execution vulnerability under SYSTEM privileges. Its severity score is likely to be 9.8 (Critical) or 10.0 (Critical) due to the complete compromise it allows. Exploitation of this flaw could grants an attacker full control over the affected system, making it a prime target for sophisticated threat actors.
• The remaining six vulnerabilities, while not detailed in the provided source, are expected to contribute to the overall risk profile of the software. Organizations should consult AVEVA’s official security advisories for a comprehensive understanding of all disclosed flaws and their respective impacts.

The existence of an unauthenticated SYSTEM-level RCE is particularly troubling because it minimizes the attack surface and lowers the barrier to entry for malicious actors. It implies a fundamental flaw in the software’s architecture or security design that allows external actors to bypass security controls entirely.

Remediation Actions and Mitigation Strategies

Immediate action is paramount for any organization utilizing AVEVA Process Optimization. Proactive mitigation can significantly reduce exposure to these critical vulnerabilities.

• Patch Immediately: The most crucial step is to apply all available patches and updates from AVEVA as soon as they are released. Organizations should prioritize patching Process Optimization 2024.1 and all earlier versions. Continuously monitor AVEVA’s official security advisories for patch availability and deployment instructions.
• Network Segmentation: Isolate AVEVA Process Optimization systems on a separate network segment, away from internet-facing networks and other critical business systems. This limits the ability of an attacker to reach the vulnerable system or to move laterally if a compromise occurs.
• Strict Firewall Rules: Implement stringent firewall rules to restrict inbound and outbound traffic to and from the AVEVA systems. Only allow necessary ports and protocols for operation, blocking all others by default.
• Implement Least Privilege: Ensure that all services, applications, and user accounts associated with AVEVA Process Optimization operate with the absolute minimum privileges required to perform their functions.
• Security Monitoring: Enhance logging and monitoring for all AVEVA systems. Look for anomalous network traffic, unusual process executions, or unauthorized access attempts. Deploy intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) to identify and block exploit attempts.
• Regular Backups: Maintain regular, secure, and offline backups of all critical configurations and data associated with the Process Optimization environment. This aids in recovery in the event of a successful attack.
• Incident Response Plan: Review and update your incident response plan to specifically address potential compromises of industrial control systems. Ensure your team is prepared to detect, contain, eradicate, and recover from such an event.

Security Tools for Detection and Mitigation

While patching is the ultimate solution, several tools can aid in identifying vulnerabilities and monitoring for exploitation attempts:

Tool Name	Purpose	Link
Nessus	Vulnerability Scanning & Asset Discovery	https://www.tenable.com/products/nessus
OpenVAS	Open Source Vulnerability Scanner	http://www.openvas.org/
Wireshark	Network Protocol Analyzer (for traffic monitoring)	https://www.wireshark.org/
Snort/Suricata	Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS)	https://www.snort.org/ / https://suricata-ids.org/
Metasploit Framework	Penetration Testing (for validating controls, not for production systems)	https://www.metasploit.com/

Conclusion

The disclosure of critical vulnerabilities in AVEVA Process Optimization serves as a stark reminder of the persistent and evolving threats facing industrial control systems. An unauthenticated system-level RCE is one of the most severe types of vulnerabilities, demanding immediate and decisive action from affected organizations. Prioritize patching, strengthen network defenses, and enhance monitoring to protect these essential components of global infrastructure from potential compromise.