CVE-2026-34499 in ADVMS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/07/2026
Use of hard-coded cryptographic key vulnerability in Johnson Controls ADVMS allows Read Sensitive Constants Within an Executable.
This issue affects ADVMS: before 3.10.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2026
The identified vulnerability represents a critical failure in the implementation of secure software development practices within the Johnson Controls ADVMS product, specifically affecting versions prior to 3.10. This flaw is categorized under CWE-798 as Use of Hard-coded Cryptographic Key, which denotes the practice of embedding sensitive cryptographic material directly into the source code or compiled binary rather than deriving it from a secure key management system or user-provided input during runtime. In this specific instance, an attacker with access to the executable file can extract these static keys using standard reverse engineering tools and memory analysis techniques. The presence of hard-coded keys fundamentally undermines the confidentiality guarantees provided by encryption algorithms because the secret required for decryption is not dynamic nor protected by hardware security modules but remains constant across all installations of the affected software version.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability allows an adversary to perform Read Sensitive Constants Within an Executable, which facilitates unauthorized access to encrypted data streams or communication channels secured by ADVMS. When cryptographic keys are hardcoded, they become part of the static binary artifact that can be easily decompiled and analyzed using tools such as IDA Pro, Ghidra, or simple hex editors if obfuscation is insufficient. Once extracted, these constants enable an attacker to decrypt sensitive operational data transmitted between system components or stored locally on the device. This capability effectively neutralizes encryption protections, allowing for the interception of proprietary control logic, configuration parameters, and potentially user credentials that are protected by this static key material. The risk is exacerbated in industrial environments where ADVMS operates, as compromised keys could lead to a complete loss of integrity and confidentiality for building automation systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data leakage to include potential manipulation of system behavior if the extracted keys allow an attacker to forge valid authentication tokens or encrypted commands. In the context of Building Automation Systems managed by ADVMS, such access could theoretically permit unauthorized changes to HVAC settings, security protocols, or energy management configurations. While direct remote code execution is not explicitly described in this specific flaw description, the ability to read sensitive constants often serves as a precursor step for more severe attacks, including privilege escalation and lateral movement within the network infrastructure supporting these systems. The static nature of the key means that once compromised, it remains valid across all instances unless the software vendor releases an update with rotated keys or improved key management practices, making this a persistent threat vector until remediation is applied.
Mitigation strategies must prioritize immediate patching to version 3.10 or later where these hard-coded constants have been replaced by dynamic key generation mechanisms or integrated with secure hardware-backed storage solutions such as Trusted Platform Modules. In environments where upgrading is not immediately feasible, network segmentation should be implemented to restrict access to the ADVMS executable and its associated communication ports from untrusted networks. Additionally, monitoring for unusual decryption activities or unauthorized configuration changes can help detect exploitation attempts in real-time. Long-term remediation requires adopting a secure software development lifecycle that mandates regular key rotation, use of hardware security modules for key storage, and rigorous code reviews to identify and eliminate hard-coded secrets before deployment aligns with industry standards like NIST SP 800-57 regarding key management guidelines.