Sensormatic PowerManage (Update A)

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v3 10.0
• ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity
• Vendor: Sensormatic Electronics, LLC, a subsidiary of Johnson Controls Inc
• Equipment: PowerManage
• Vulnerability: Improper Input Validation

2. UPDATE INFORMATION

This update advisory is a follow-up to the original advisory titled ICSA-22-034-01 Sensormatic PowerManage that was published February 3, 2022, on the ICS webpage on www.cisa.gov/uscert.

3. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to gain remote code execution.

4. TECHNICAL DETAILS

4.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The following versions of Sensormatic Electronics, LLC PowerManage, an operating platform, are affected:

• PowerManage Versions 4.0 to 4.8

4.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

4.2.1    IMPROPER INPUT VALIDATION CWE-20

The affected product does not properly validate user input, allowing an attacker to enter malicious input and potentially gain remote code execution.

CVE-2021-44228 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 10.0 has been assigned; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H).

4.3 BACKGROUND

• CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Critical Manufacturing
• COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
• COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Ireland

4.4 RESEARCHER

Johnson Controls, Inc., reported this vulnerability to CISA.

5. MITIGATIONS

Johnson Controls, Inc. has provided the following mitigation steps:

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• Upgrade PowerManage to Version 4.10

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• For more detailed mitigation instructions, please see Johnson Controls Product Security Advisory JCI-PSA-2022-01 v1 

CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability. Specifically, users should:

• Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, and ensure they are not accessible from the Internet.
• Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls and isolate them from the business network.
• When remote access is required, use secure methods, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), recognizing VPNs may have vulnerabilities and should be updated to the most current version available. Also recognize VPN is only as secure as its connected devices.

CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.



CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage on cisa.gov. Several recommended practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.

Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage on cisa.gov in the Technical Information Paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B--Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.



Organizations observing any suspected malicious activity should follow their established internal procedures and report their findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.

No known public exploits specifically target this vulnerability. 

• Sensormatic Electronics