CVE-2016-1273 in Junos
Summary
by MITRE
Juniper Junos OS before 13.2X51-D40, 14.x before 14.1X53-D30, and 15.x before 15.1X53-D20 on QFX5100 and QFX10002 switches do not have sufficient entropy, which makes it easier for remote attackers to defeat cryptographic encryption and authentication protection mechanisms via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2019
This vulnerability affects Juniper Junos OS versions running on QFX5100 and QFX10002 network switches, specifically targeting versions before 13.2X51-D40, 14.x before 14.1X53-D30, and 15.x before 15.1X53-D20. The core issue stems from insufficient entropy in the random number generation process used by the operating system, creating predictable cryptographic keys and authentication tokens. This weakness directly impacts the security of network communications and access controls, making it significantly easier for remote attackers to compromise the affected systems. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-330 Use of Insufficiently Random Values, which is a fundamental weakness in cryptographic implementations that undermines the security of encryption mechanisms and authentication protocols.
The technical flaw manifests in the insufficient entropy generation during cryptographic operations, particularly affecting the generation of session keys, authentication tokens, and other security-related random values. When cryptographic systems lack proper entropy, they produce predictable outputs that can be reverse-engineered by attackers using statistical analysis or brute force techniques. This weakness enables attackers to potentially decrypt network traffic, forge authentication tokens, and gain unauthorized access to network resources. The impact is particularly severe in network switch environments where authentication and encryption are critical for maintaining network integrity and preventing unauthorized access to sensitive infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential compromise, as it fundamentally weakens the cryptographic foundations of the network infrastructure. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can potentially intercept and manipulate network communications, bypass authentication mechanisms, and establish persistent access to the affected switches. This creates a significant risk for network security, as compromised switches can serve as entry points for broader network infiltration, allowing attackers to move laterally within the network and access sensitive data. The vulnerability affects network switches that are often critical infrastructure components, making the potential impact on organizational security substantial.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate remediation through official Juniper firmware updates addressing the entropy generation issues. Organizations should prioritize patching all affected QFX5100 and QFX10002 switches with the appropriate Junos OS versions that contain improved entropy sources and cryptographic implementations. Network administrators should also implement additional monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and consider temporary network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper entropy implementation in cryptographic systems and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential harvesting and T1071 for application layer protocol usage, highlighting the need for comprehensive security measures beyond simple patching.