CVE-2017-2318 in NorthStar Controller Application
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in Juniper Networks NorthStar Controller Application prior to version 2.1.0 Service Pack 1 may allow an authenticated malicious user to read log files which will compromise the integrity of the system, or provide elevation of privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2318 affects Juniper Networks NorthStar Controller Application, a critical network management platform used for automated network provisioning and orchestration. This vulnerability represents a significant security flaw that undermines the integrity and confidentiality of the system through improper access controls. The NorthStar Controller serves as a central management point for Juniper's network infrastructure, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on automated network operations and configuration management.
The technical flaw manifests as a lack of proper authorization checks when accessing log files within the NorthStar Controller application. An authenticated malicious user can exploit this weakness to read sensitive log files that typically contain system information, user activities, and potentially privileged operational data. This improper access control vulnerability falls under the CWE-284 access control weakness category, specifically representing inadequate privilege enforcement mechanisms. The vulnerability exists in versions prior to 2.1.0 Service Pack 1, indicating that Juniper had not yet addressed this particular authorization issue in their security model.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential pathways for privilege escalation and system compromise. Log files often contain sensitive operational data including user credentials, system configurations, network topology information, and administrative activities that could be leveraged by attackers to gain deeper access to the network infrastructure. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege by allowing unauthorized access to system information that should remain restricted to authorized administrators only. The compromise of log file integrity can lead to complete system compromise through information gathering and subsequent exploitation of discovered system details.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including upgrading to Juniper NorthStar Controller version 2.1.0 Service Pack 1 or later, which contains the necessary security patches addressing this access control weakness. Network administrators should also conduct comprehensive audits of log file access controls and implement additional monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1078 legitimate credentials and T1003 credential access, as attackers could potentially use information gathered from log files to escalate privileges or maintain persistent access to network infrastructure. Additionally, organizations should review their overall security posture and ensure proper segmentation of network management systems to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities in their operational technology environments.