Frick Controls Quantum HD: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory
CVE-2026-21659 is a critical-severity improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory vulnerability in Frick Controls Quantum HD from Johnson Controls, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Frick Controls Quantum HD versions: Frick Controls Quantum HD version 10.22 and prior. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.04% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 65% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of Frick Controls Quantum HD you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on johnsoncontrols.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson Controls | Frick Controls Quantum HD | Frick Controls Quantum HD version 10.22 and prior | Not stated |
| Johnsoncontrols | Frick Controls Quantum Hd Firmware | 10.22 and earlier | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 8.7 | High | CNA (jci.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
Unauthenticated Remote Code Execution and Information Disclosure due to Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability in Johnson Controls Frick Controls Quantum HD allow an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected device, leading to full system compromise. This issue affects Frick Controls Quantum HD: Frick Controls Quantum HD version 10.22 and prior.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory
The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks entirely. Then, these modified values would be submitted to the server.
- Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid.
- Use an application firewall that can detect attacks against this weakness. It can be beneficial in cases in which the code cannot be fixed (because it is controlled by a third party), as an emergency prevention measure while more comprehensive software assurance measures are applied, or to provide defense in depth.
More Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory vulnerabilities (CWE-22)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
- cisa.gov/news-events/ics-advisories/icsa-26-057-01Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource
Other vulnerabilities in Frick Controls Quantum HD
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
Recent Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
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