Qolsys IQ Panel 4, IQ4 HUB
All CISA Advisories, CISA, February 8, 2024
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- CVSS v3 7.3
- ATTENTION: Low attack complexity
- Vendor: Qolsys, Inc.
- Equipment: IQ Panel 4, IQ4 Hub
- Vulnerability: Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor
2. RISK EVALUATION
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow the panel software, under certain circumstances, to provide unauthorized access to settings.
3. TECHNICAL DETAILS
3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS
The following products from Qolsys, Inc, a subsidiary of Johnson Controls, are affected:
- Qolsys IQ Panel 4: Versions prior to 4.4.2
- Qolsys IQ4 Hub: Versions prior to 4.4.2
3.2 Vulnerability Overview
3.2.1 EXPOSURE OF SENSITIVE INFORMATION TO AN UNAUTHORIZED ACTOR CWE-200
In Qolsys IQ Panel 4 and IQ4 Hub versions prior to 4.4.2, panel software, under certain circumstances, could allow unauthorized access to settings.
CVE-2024-0242 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.3 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:H).
3.3 BACKGROUND
- CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Critical Manufacturing
- COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
- COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Ireland
3.4 RESEARCHER
Cody Jung reported this vulnerability to Johnson Controls, Inc.
4. MITIGATIONS
Johnson Controls has provided the following recommendations for its subsidiary company, Qolsys, Inc, to help reduce the risk of the vulnerability:
- Upgrade IQ Panel 4, IQ4 Hub to version 4.4.2.
- The firmware can be updated remotely to all available devices in the field.
- The firmware update can also be manually loaded by applying the patch tag “iqpanel4.4.2” on the device after navigating to its firmware update page.
- For more detailed mitigation instructions, please see Johnson Controls Product Security Advisory JCI-PSA-2024-03.
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.
No known public exploitation specifically targeting this vulnerability has been reported to CISA at this time. This vulnerability is not exploitable remotely.
5. UPDATE HISTORY
- February 8, 2024: Initial Publication
