Junos OS: Stack-based Buffer Overflow
CVE-2026-101979 is a high-severity stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Junos OS from Juniper Networks, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 23.2R2-S7.7, 23.4R2-S8.13, 24.2R2-S5.5 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 0.45% 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 23.2R2-S7.7 or 23.4R2-S8.13 or 24.2R2-S5.5 or 24.4R2-S5, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update Junos OS Evolved to 23.2R2-S7.7-EVO or 23.4R2-S8.11-EVO or 24.2R2-S5.6-EVO or 24.4R2-S5-EVO, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juniper Networks | Junos OS | before 23.2R2-S7.7; 23.4 up to, but not including, 23.4R2-S8.13; 24.2 up to, but not including, 24.2R2-S5.5; 24.4 up to, but not including, 24.4R2-S5; 25.2 up to, but not including, 25.2R2-S2; 25.4 up to, but not including, 25.4R1-S3; 26.2 up to, but not including, 26.2R1-S2 | 23.2R2-S7.7, 23.4R2-S8.13, 24.2R2-S5.5, 24.4R2-S5, 25.2R2-S2, 25.4R1-S3 |
| Juniper Networks | Junos OS Evolved | before 23.2R2-S7.7-EVO; 23.4 up to, but not including, 23.4R2-S8.11-EVO; 24.2 up to, but not including, 24.2R2-S5.6-EVO; 24.4 up to, but not including, 24.4R2-S5-EVO; 25.2 up to, but not including, 25.2R2-S2-EVO; 25.4 up to, but not including, 25.4R1-S3-EVO; 26.2 up to, but not including, 26.2R1-S2-EVO; 23.4X100; and 2 more ranges | 23.2R2-S7.7-EVO, 23.4R2-S8.11-EVO, 24.2R2-S5.6-EVO, 24.4R2-S5-EVO, 25.2R2-S2-EVO, 25.4R1-S3-EVO |
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
- 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:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (juniper.net).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 8.7 | High | CNA (juniper.net) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | CNA (juniper.net) |
Official description
A Stack-based Buffer Overflow vulnerability in the authd Juniper Networks Junos OS and Junos OS Evolved allows a network attacker with SNMP read access to execute code with root privileges or cause a denial of service via a specific SNMP packet, when SNMP and AAA are enabled.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Stack-based Buffer Overflow
The product writes past the end of a buffer that was allocated on the stack.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use automatic buffer overflow detection mechanisms that are offered by certain compilers or compiler extensions. Examples include: the Microsoft Visual Studio /GS flag, Fedora/Red Hat FORTIFY_SOURCE GCC flag, StackGuard, and ProPolice, which provide various mechanisms including canary-based detection and range/index checking. D3-SFCV (Stack Frame Canary Validation) from D3FEND discusses canary-based detection in detail.
- Use an abstraction library to abstract away risky APIs. Not a complete solution.
- Implement and perform bounds checking on input.
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
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in Junos OS
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Stack-based Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
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