CVE-2016-1275 in Junos
Summary
by MITRE
Juniper Junos OS before 13.3R9, 14.1R6 before 14.1R6-S1, and 14.1 before 14.1R7, when configured with VPLS routing-instances, allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive mbuf information by injecting a flood of Ethernet frames with IPv6 MAC addresses directly into a connected interface.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/02/2022
This vulnerability exists in Juniper Junos OS versions prior to specific security releases, affecting systems configured with VPLS routing-instances. The flaw manifests when the system processes Ethernet frames containing IPv6 MAC addresses, creating a situation where sensitive mbuf information can be extracted by remote attackers. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling of these particular frame types within the VPLS routing context, making it distinct from general network processing issues. The mbuf information disclosure represents a significant security concern as it can reveal internal system memory structures and potentially sensitive operational details that could aid further attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of IPv6 MAC address frames within the VPLS routing-instance context. When an attacker floods a connected interface with specially crafted Ethernet frames containing IPv6 MAC addresses, the Junos OS processes these frames in a manner that inadvertently exposes mbuf information. This occurs due to insufficient validation and proper memory management during frame processing within the VPLS environment. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200 as it involves improper information exposure, specifically the disclosure of internal memory structures. The flaw represents a failure in input validation and memory handling that allows attackers to extract potentially sensitive system information through network traffic manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposure of mbuf information can provide attackers with insights into the internal memory layout and system state of affected devices. This information can be leveraged to craft more sophisticated attacks or to better understand the target system architecture. The vulnerability affects multiple Junos OS versions, indicating a widespread issue within the product line and requiring coordinated patching efforts across affected deployments. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access or local network privileges to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly concerning for network infrastructure devices. The VPLS routing-instance configuration specifically amplifies the impact as it represents a common enterprise networking deployment pattern.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate deployment of the vendor-provided security patches that address the specific frame processing issue within VPLS routing-instances. Organizations should prioritize patching all affected Junos OS versions, particularly those running 13.3R8 or earlier, 14.1R5 or earlier, and 14.1R6 or earlier. Network administrators should implement additional monitoring to detect unusual flooding patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1082 for system information discovery, as it enables attackers to gather information about the target system. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while maintaining detailed logging of network traffic patterns for incident response purposes.