CVE-2017-2307 in Junos Space
Summary
by MITRE
A reflected cross site scripting vulnerability in the administrative interface of Juniper Networks Junos Space versions prior to 16.1R1 may allow remote attackers to steal sensitive information or perform certain administrative actions on Junos Space.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2307 represents a critical reflected cross site scripting flaw within the administrative interface of Juniper Networks Junos Space platform. This security weakness affects versions prior to 16.1R1 and exposes organizations to significant risks through remote exploitation capabilities. The vulnerability specifically targets the administrative web interface components of Junos Space, which serves as the primary management console for network device monitoring and configuration. Organizations utilizing Juniper Networks infrastructure face potential compromise when attackers leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious scripts against authenticated administrative sessions.
The technical implementation of this reflected XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the administrative interface components of Junos Space. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing crafted script payloads that are then reflected back to authenticated users through the web interface. When administrative users click on these malicious links or navigate to compromised pages, the embedded scripts execute within the context of their privileged sessions. This flaw falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross site scripting vulnerabilities, and demonstrates how improper validation of user-supplied data can lead to complete administrative session compromise. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS because the malicious payload is embedded in the HTTP request and reflected back to the user without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform a range of malicious activities within the administrative context. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, execute unauthorized administrative commands, access sensitive configuration data, and potentially escalate privileges within the network management environment. The administrative interface of Junos Space typically contains comprehensive network device information, configuration settings, and management controls that provide attackers with extensive access to the underlying network infrastructure. This vulnerability creates a direct pathway for attackers to compromise the integrity and confidentiality of network management operations, potentially leading to widespread network disruption or unauthorized access to critical network resources.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigation strategies including upgrading to Juniper Networks Junos Space version 16.1R1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the reflected XSS vulnerability. Organizations should also deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious requests targeting the administrative interface, implement strict input validation policies, and conduct regular security assessments of web applications. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers scripting through web shell execution, and represents a classic example of how administrative web interfaces become primary attack vectors for sophisticated adversaries. Network security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces and establish robust monitoring protocols to detect anomalous access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security awareness training for administrative users can help prevent social engineering attacks that might leverage this vulnerability to deliver malicious payloads through phishing campaigns.