Summary
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow a low-privilege user or attacker to inject a persistent malicious payload via a crafted URL that executes in the context of other users' sessions, including administrators, potentially leading to session hijacking and unauthorized access.The following versions of Johnson Controls Metasys are affected:
- Metasys 12 vers:all/* (CVE-2026-34491)
- Metasys 13 vers:all/* (CVE-2026-34491)
- Metasys 14
- Metasys 15
CVSS
Vendor
Equipment
Vulnerabilities
v3 8
Johnson Controls Inc
Johnson Controls Metasys
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')
Background
- Critical Infrastructure Sectors: Critical Manufacturing, Commercial Facilities, Government Services and Facilities, Transportation Systems, Energy
- Countries/Areas Deployed: Worldwide
- Company Headquarters Location: Ireland
Vulnerabilities
Expand All +
CVE-2026-34491
A low-privilege user can inject a malicious XSS payload into the Metasys UI via a crafted URL. The payload persists across logins and executes in the browser context of other users, including administrators.
View CVE Details
Affected Products
Johnson Controls Metasys
Vendor:Johnson Controls Inc
Product Version:Johnson Controls Inc Metasys 12: vers:all/*, Johnson Controls Inc Metasys 13: vers:all/*, Johnson Controls Inc Metasys 14: <v14.1.5, Johnson Controls Inc Metasys 15: <v15.0.1
Product Status:known_affected
Remediations
MitigationJohnson Controls recommends the following actions:
MitigationUser are recommended to apply the latest available patches for affected Metasys versions
MitigationMetasys 16.0: Not impacted, fixed prior to release
Vendor fixMetasys 15.0: Patch released 2026-03-25
Vendor fixMetasys 14.1.5: Forecast release 2026-07-15
Vendor fixMetasys 13: End of support, update to later version
Vendor fixMetasys 12: End of support, update to later version
MitigationMetasys 11 & prior: Not affected (vulnerability introduced at version 12)
MitigationTo help reduce the risk of exploitation, we suggest considering the following defensive measures:
MitigationUpgrade to Metasys version 16.0 or apply the latest available patch for your version (15.0.1 or 14.1.5 when available)
MitigationRestrict network access to the Metasys UI to trusted networks and users only; do not expose the interface directly to the internet
MitigationImplement network segmentation to isolate building automation systems from the corporate IT network
MitigationEnforce least-privilege access controls – limit user accounts to the minimum permissions necessary
MitigationImplement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers and other HTTP security headers where possible at the network/proxy level
MitigationMonitor for suspicious URL patterns and unexpected script execution in Metasys UI access logs
MitigationUse a web application firewall (WAF) in front of the Metasys UI to detect and block common XSS payloads
MitigationEducate users to avoid clicking on untrusted or unexpected links that target the Metasys UI
MitigationFor more detailed mitigation instructions, please see Johnson Controls Product Security Advisory JCI-PSA-2026-11 at the following location: Security Advisories.
Relevant CWE: CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')Metrics
CVSS Version
Base Score
Base Severity
Vector String
3.1
8
HIGH
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
4.0
8.6
HIGH
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
Acknowledgments
- An anonymous researcher reported this vulnerability to Johnson Controls
Legal Notice and Terms of Use
This product is provided subject to this Notification (https://www.cisa.gov/notification) and this Privacy & Use policy (https://www.cisa.gov/privacy-policy).
Recommended Practices
CISA recommends users take defensive measures to minimize the risk of exploitation of this vulnerability.
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.
Revision History
- Initial Release Date: 2026-08-13
Date
Revision
Summary
2026-08-13
1
Initial Publication.