1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- CVSS v4 7.1
- ATTENTION: Low attack complexity
- Vendor: Carrier
- Equipment: Block Load
- Vulnerability: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
2. RISK EVALUATION
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow a malicious actor to execute arbitrary code with escalated privileges .
3. TECHNICAL DETAILS
3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS
The following Carrier product, which is a HVAC load calculation program, are affected:
- Block Load: Version 4.16
3.2 VUNERABILITY OVERVIEW
3.2.1 UNCONTROLLED SEARCH PATH ELEMENT CWE-427
The vulnerability could allow a malicious actor to perform DLL hijacking and execute arbitrary code with escalated privileges.
CVE-2024-10930 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).
A CVSS v4 score has also been calculated for CVE-2024-10930. A base score of 7.1 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N).
3.3 BACKGROUND
- CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Commercial Facilities
- COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: United States
- COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: United States
3.4 RESEARCHER
Sahil Shah and Shuvrosayar Das reported this vulnerability to Carrier.
4. MITIGATIONS
Carrier recommends users to upgrade the product to v4.2 or later.
If any issues arise, users are encouraged to contact Carrier directly.
For more information refer to Carrier’s security advisory.
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.
5. UPDATE HISTORY
- March 3, 2025: Initial Publication
