Junos OS: Stack-based Buffer Overflow
CVE-2026-101983 is a critical-severity stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Junos OS from Juniper Networks, 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. The record lists versions 23.4R2-S8.13, 24.2R2-S5.5, 24.4R2-S5 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 0.54% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update Junos OS to 23.4R2-S8.13 or 24.2R2-S5.5 or 24.4R2-S5 or 25.2R2-S2, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update Junos OS Evolved to 23.4R2-S8.11-EVO or 24.2R2-S5.6-EVO or 24.4R2-S5-EVO or 25.2R2-S2-EVO, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juniper Networks | Junos OS | 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 | 23.4R2-S8.13, 24.2R2-S5.5, 24.4R2-S5, 25.2R2-S2, 25.4R1-S3, 26.2R1-S2 |
| Juniper Networks | Junos OS Evolved | 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; 25.2X100 up to, but not including, 25.2X100-D35-EVO; and 1 more ranges | 23.4R2-S8.11-EVO, 24.2R2-S5.6-EVO, 24.4R2-S5-EVO, 25.2R2-S2-EVO, 25.4R1-S3-EVO, 26.2R1-S2-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
- 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 CNA (juniper.net).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 9.3 | Critical | CNA (juniper.net) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | CNA (juniper.net) |
Official description
A Stack-based Buffer Overflow vulnerability in the httpd process of Juniper Networks Junos OS and Junos OS Evolved allows an unauthenticated network attacker to cause remote code execution and denial of service via a J-Web virtual-domain configured.
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: yes, 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
- 8.8 High 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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