1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
CVSS v3 6.8
ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity
Vendor: Johnson Controls, Inc.
Equipment: Illustra Essentials Gen 4
Vulnerability: Storing Passwords in a Recoverable Format
2. RISK EVALUATION
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may allow web interface user’s credentials to be recovered by an authenticated user.
3. TECHNICAL DETAILS
3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS
Johnson Controls reports that the following versions of Illustra Essentials IP cameras are affected:
Illustra Essential Gen 4: versions Illustra.Ess4.01.02.10.5982 and prior
3.2 Vulnerability Overview
3.2.1 Storing Passwords in a Recoverable Format CWE-257
Under certain circumstances, the web interface users credentials may be recovered by an authenticated user.
CVE-2024-32932 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N).
3.3 BACKGROUND
CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Critical Manufacturing, Commercial Facilities, Government Facilities, Transportation Systems, Energy
COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Ireland
3.4 RESEARCHER
Sam Hanson of Dragos reported this vulnerability to Johnson Controls, Inc.
4. MITIGATIONS
Johnson Controls recommends that users upgrade cameras to Illustra.Ess4.01.02.13.6953.
For more detailed mitigation instructions, please see Johnson Controls Product Security Advisory JCI-PSA-2024-08 v1 at the following location: https://www.johnsoncontrols.com/cyber-solutions/security-advisories
Johnson Controls recommends taking steps to minimize risks to all building automation systems. Further ICS security notices and product security guidance are located at Johnson Controls product security website: https://www.johnsoncontrols.com/cyber-solutions/security-advisories
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 recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability, such as:
Minimize network exposure for all control system devices and/or systems, ensuring they are not accessible from the internet.
Locate control system networks and remote devices behind firewalls and isolating them from business networks.
When remote access is required, use more 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 the 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/ics. Several CISA products detailing cyber defense best practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.
CISA encourages organizations to implement recommended cybersecurity strategies for proactive defense of ICS assets.
Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov/ics in the technical information paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B–Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.
Organizations observing suspected malicious activity should follow established internal procedures and report 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 attachments in unsolicited 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 exploitation specifically targeting this vulnerability has been reported to CISA at this time.
5. UPDATE HISTORY
June 27, 2024: Initial Publication