CVE-2017-2316 in NorthStar Controller Application
Summary
by MITRE
A buffer overflow vulnerability in Juniper Networks NorthStar Controller Application prior to version 2.1.0 Service Pack 1 may allow an authenticated malicious user to cause a buffer overflow leading to a denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2316 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Juniper Networks NorthStar Controller Application, a network management platform designed for automated network operations and orchestration. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 2.1.0 Service Pack 1, indicating that the flaw existed in the core application logic that handles input validation and memory management within the controller's processing pipeline. The NorthStar Controller serves as a central management point for Juniper's network infrastructure, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise and service provider networks that rely on its automated provisioning and configuration capabilities.
The technical nature of this buffer overflow stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the application's processing routines that handle user-supplied data. When an authenticated malicious user submits specially crafted input to the NorthStar Controller, the application fails to properly bounds-check the data before copying it into fixed-size memory buffers. This fundamental flaw in memory management allows the attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting critical application state information and execution control structures. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires authentication, meaning that only users with valid credentials can exploit this weakness, though this does not diminish its potential impact on network operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can severely disrupt network management operations and potentially compromise the integrity of network configuration data. When exploited successfully, the buffer overflow can cause the NorthStar Controller application to crash or become unresponsive, effectively removing network management capabilities from the affected system. This disruption can cascade through network operations, as administrators lose the ability to monitor and control network resources through the compromised controller, potentially leading to extended service outages and manual intervention requirements. The vulnerability's presence in a controller application that manages critical network infrastructure makes it particularly dangerous for service providers and enterprises that depend on automated network management for their operational continuity.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through the installation of the 2.1.0 Service Pack 1 update or later versions that contain the necessary memory validation patches. Network administrators should also implement additional monitoring and logging controls to detect potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability requires authentication to exploit, making it less likely to be discovered through automated scanning but still possible through social engineering or compromised credentials. The flaw aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of inadequate input validation that violates fundamental security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and access control measures to limit the potential impact of credential compromise, while the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular patch management and security testing in maintaining network infrastructure integrity.