Junos OS: Insufficiently Protected Credentials
CVE-2022-22251 is a high-severity insufficiently protected credentials vulnerability in Junos OS from Juniper Networks, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 20.2*, 20.3*, 20.4* as the first without the flaw, so updating Junos OS to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.17% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Junos OS to 20.2* or 20.3* or 20.4* or 21.1*, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update Junos to 21.2 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on kb.juniper.net for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juniper Networks | Junos OS | 20.2R1 up to, but not including, 20.2*; 20.3R1 up to, but not including, 20.3*; 20.4R1 up to, but not including, 20.4*; 21.1R1 up to, but not including, 21.1* | 20.2*, 20.3*, 20.4*, 21.1* |
| Juniper Networks | Junos | 20.2 up to, but not including, 21.2 | 21.2 |
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
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- 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:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (juniper.net).
Official description
On cSRX Series devices software permission issues in the container filesystem and stored files combined with storing passwords in a recoverable format in Juniper Networks Junos OS allows a local, low-privileged attacker to elevate their permissions to take control of any instance of a cSRX software deployment. This issue affects Juniper Networks Junos OS 20.2 version 20.2R1 and later versions prior to 21.2R1 on cSRX Series.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Insufficiently Protected Credentials
The product transmits or stores authentication credentials, but it uses an insecure method that is susceptible to unauthorized interception and/or retrieval.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an appropriate security mechanism to protect the credentials.
- Make appropriate use of cryptography to protect the credentials.
- Use industry standards to protect the credentials (e.g. LDAP, keystore, etc.).
More Insufficiently Protected Credentials vulnerabilities (CWE-522)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
- kb.juniper.net/JSA69908Mitigation
Other vulnerabilities in Junos OS
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Insufficiently Protected Credentials vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.4 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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