Johnson Controls Metasys

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• CVSS v3 8.8
• ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity
• Vendor: Johnson Controls, Inc.
• Equipment: Metasys ADS/ADX/OAS Servers
• Vulnerability: Improper Privilege Management

2. RISK EVALUATION

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an authenticated user to elevate their privileges to administrator.

3. TECHNICAL DETAILS

3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS

Johnson Controls reports this vulnerability affects the following Metasys ADS/ADX/OAS Servers:

• All Metasys ADS/ADX/OAS Servers: Versions 10 and 11

3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW

3.2.1    IMPROPER PRIVILEGE MANAGEMENT CWE-269

Under certain circumstances, an authenticated user could elevate their privileges to administrator.

CVE-2021-36207 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 8.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

3.3 BACKGROUND

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

3.4 RESEARCHER

Johnson Controls, Inc. reported this vulnerability to CISA.

4. MITIGATIONS

Johnson Controls recommends upgrading to the current version of Metasys:

• Update all Metasys ADS/ADX/OAS Servers: Versions 10 with patch 10.1.5
• Update all Metasys ADS/ADX/OAS Servers: Versions 11 with patch 11.0.2

For more detailed mitigation instructions, please see Johnson Controls Product Security Advisory JCI-PSA-2022-08 v1

Aligning with CISA recommendations, Johnson Controls recommends taking steps to minimize risks to all building automation systems.

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

• Ensure the least-privilege user principle is followed.
• 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.

CISA also recommends users take the following measures to protect themselves from social engineering attacks:

• Do not click web links or open unsolicited attachments in email messages.
• Refer to Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scams for more information on avoiding email scams.
• Refer to Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks for more information on social engineering attacks.

No known public exploits specifically target this vulnerability.

• Johnson Controls