CVE-2016-1267 in Junos
Summary
by MITRE
Race condition in the RPC functionality in Juniper Junos OS before 12.1X44-D55, 12.1X46 before 12.1X46-D40, 12.1X47 before 12.1X47-D25, 12.3 before 12.3R11, 12.3X48 before 12.3X48-D20, 13.2 before 13.2R8, 13.2X51 before 13.2X51-D39, 13.3 before 13.3R7, 14.1 before 14.1R6, 14.1X53 before 14.1X53-D30, 14.2 before 14.2R3-S4, 15.1 before 15.1F2, or 15.1R2, 15.1X49 before 15.1X49-D20, and 16.1 before 16.1R1 allows local users to read, delete, or modify arbitrary files via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1267 represents a critical race condition flaw within the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) functionality of Juniper Junos OS operating systems. This issue affects multiple versions of the Junos OS spanning from 12.1X44-D55 through 16.1R1, creating a widespread exposure across numerous network device deployments. The race condition occurs during the processing of RPC requests, where concurrent operations can lead to unpredictable behavior in file access controls and system operations. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in network infrastructure devices as they can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to critical system resources and data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper synchronization mechanisms within the RPC subsystem of Junos OS. When multiple processes or threads attempt to access or modify files simultaneously through RPC interfaces, the system fails to properly enforce access controls and file locking mechanisms. This race condition allows local users to exploit timing windows where file permissions are temporarily bypassed or incorrectly evaluated. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that the attack surface includes various RPC operations that handle file system interactions, potentially encompassing configuration file access, log file manipulation, and other system resource operations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-362, which specifically addresses Race Conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Windows Remote Services and T1078 for Valid Accounts, as local privilege escalation can lead to broader system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1267 extends beyond simple file access violations, as it provides attackers with the capability to read, delete, or modify arbitrary files within the system. This can result in complete system compromise, configuration corruption, data loss, and potential denial of service conditions. Network administrators may experience unauthorized access to sensitive configuration files, which could contain credentials, encryption keys, or other critical operational data. The vulnerability particularly affects network devices that rely heavily on RPC functionality for remote management and configuration updates, making it a significant concern for enterprise network infrastructure. The race condition aspect means that exploitation is not entirely dependent on specific timing but rather on the inherent concurrency issues in the system's file handling mechanisms, making it more difficult to predict and prevent.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1267 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Junos OS versions to the latest available releases that contain the necessary fixes for the race condition. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit local user privileges on network devices, reducing the potential impact of exploitation. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that only authorized personnel have local access to critical network infrastructure. Additionally, continuous monitoring of system logs for unusual file access patterns and unauthorized modifications should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts. Network administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous RPC activity patterns. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits of network infrastructure are essential to maintain defenses against similar race condition vulnerabilities that may exist in other system components. The remediation process should also include verification of the patch installation and confirmation that the RPC functionality operates correctly without the race condition vulnerabilities.