CISA Advisory: Pharos Controls Mosaic Show Controller Vulnerability
Summary
CISA has released an advisory regarding a critical vulnerability (CVE-2026-2417) in Pharos Controls Mosaic Show Controller firmware version 2.15.3. Successful exploitation could allow an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges. Pharos Controls recommends upgrading to version 2.16 or later.
What changed
CISA has issued an advisory (ICSA-26-083-01) detailing a critical vulnerability, CVE-2026-2417, affecting Pharos Controls Mosaic Show Controller firmware version 2.15.3. The vulnerability, rated CVSS v3 9.8, is a Missing Authentication for Critical Function that could allow an unauthenticated attacker to gain root privileges and execute arbitrary commands. This advisory impacts commercial facilities worldwide.
Pharos Controls recommends that affected users upgrade their Mosaic Show Controller firmware to version 2.16 or later to remediate this vulnerability. CISA advises organizations to implement defensive measures, including minimizing network exposure of control system devices, isolating them behind firewalls, and using secure remote access methods like VPNs. Organizations should conduct impact analyses and risk assessments before deploying mitigations.
What to do next
- Upgrade Pharos Controls Mosaic Show Controller firmware to version 2.16 or later.
- Minimize network exposure of control system devices and ensure they are not accessible from the internet.
- Implement secure remote access methods such as VPNs for any required remote access.
Source document (simplified)
ICS Advisory
Pharos Controls Mosaic Show Controller
Release Date
March 24, 2026
Alert Code ICSA-26-083-01 Related topics: Industrial Control System Vulnerabilities, Industrial Control Systems View CSAF
Summary
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges.
The following versions of Pharos Controls Mosaic Show Controller are affected:
- Mosaic Show Controller Firmware 2.15.3 (CVE-2026-2417)
| CVSS | Vendor | Equipment | Vulnerabilities |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| v3 9.8 | Pharos Controls | Pharos Controls Mosaic Show Controller | Missing Authentication for Critical Function |
Background
- Critical Infrastructure Sectors: Commercial Facilities
- Countries/Areas Deployed: Worldwide
- Company Headquarters Location: United Kingdom
Vulnerabilities
CVE-2026-2417
A Missing Authentication for Critical Function vulnerability in Pharos Controls Mosaic Show Controller firmware version 2.15.3 could allow an unauthenticated attacker to bypass authentication and execute arbitrary commands with root privileges.
Affected Products
Pharos Controls Mosaic Show Controller
Vendor:
Pharos Controls Product Version:
Pharos Controls Mosaic Show Controller Firmware: 2.15.3 Product Status:
known_affected
Remediations
Mitigation
Pharos Controls recommends that users upgrade Mosaic Show Controller to version 2.16 or later.
Relevant CWE: CWE-306 Missing Authentication for Critical Function
Metrics
| CVSS Version | Base Score | Base Severity | Vector String |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 3.1 | 9.8 | CRITICAL | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
Acknowledgments
- James Tully reported this vulnerability to CISA
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: 2026-03-24
| Date | Revision | Summary |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-03-24 | 1 | Initial Publication |
Legal Notice and Terms of Use
This product is provided subject to this Notification and this Privacy & Use policy.
Tags
Sector: Commercial Facilities Sector Topics: Industrial Control System Vulnerabilities, Industrial Control Systems
Please share your thoughts
We recently updated our anonymous product survey; we welcome your feedback.
Related Advisories
Mar 24, 2026
ICS Advisory | ICSA-26-083-02
Schneider Electric EcoStruxure Foxboro DCS
Mar 24, 2026
ICS Advisory | ICSA-26-083-03
Schneider Electric Plant iT/Brewmaxx
Mar 19, 2026
ICS Advisory | ICSA-26-078-04
Schneider Electric EcoStruxure PME and EPO
Mar 19, 2026
ICS Advisory | ICSA-26-078-01
Schneider Electric Modicon M241, M251, and M262
Named provisions
Related changes
Source
Classification
Who this affects
Taxonomy
Browse Categories
Get Data Privacy & Cybersecurity alerts
Weekly digest. AI-summarized, no noise.
Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Get alerts for this source
We'll email you when CISA ICS-CERT Advisories publishes new changes.