CVE-2017-2330 in NorthStar Controller Application
Summary
by MITRE
A denial of service vulnerability in Juniper Networks NorthStar Controller Application prior to version 2.1.0 Service Pack 1 may allow an unauthenticated, local user, to create a fork bomb scenario, also known as a rabbit virus, or wabbit, which will create processes that replicate themselves, until all resources are consumed on the system, leading to a denial of service to the entire system until it is restarted. Continued attacks by an unauthenticated, local user, can lead to persistent denials of services.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2330 represents a critical denial of service weakness within Juniper Networks NorthStar Controller Application affecting versions prior to 2.1.0 Service Pack 1. This flaw specifically targets the application's process management mechanisms and creates a dangerous scenario where an unauthenticated local user can exploit a fork bomb condition. The vulnerability operates through the exploitation of inadequate resource controls and process management within the NorthStar Controller environment, allowing malicious actors to initiate recursive process creation that consumes system resources at an exponential rate.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the fundamental concept of fork bombs, which are malicious programs that create multiple copies of themselves to exhaust system resources. In the context of the NorthStar Controller, an attacker can trigger this condition through local system access, bypassing authentication requirements entirely. The fork bomb mechanism works by creating processes that continuously spawn new processes without proper resource limits or termination conditions, effectively creating a cascade of process creation that rapidly consumes memory, CPU cycles, and process table entries. This scenario aligns with CWE-400 which categorizes improper resource management and lack of resource exhaustion controls as critical weaknesses in system design.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to create persistent denial of service conditions that can severely compromise system availability. When an unauthenticated local user successfully exploits this vulnerability, the resulting fork bomb consumes all available system resources, causing the NorthStar Controller to become unresponsive and potentially crash entirely. The persistent nature of this attack means that even after initial exploitation, the system may remain in a degraded state until manual intervention occurs through system restarts or forced process termination. This vulnerability particularly affects network infrastructure management systems where continuous availability is critical for network operations and service delivery.
Security implications of CVE-2017-2330 align with several ATT&CK framework techniques including privilege escalation and denial of service operations. The vulnerability demonstrates how local access can be leveraged to create system-wide disruptions, representing a significant concern for network administrators who must maintain availability of critical infrastructure management tools. The attack vector requires only local system access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by users who have legitimate access to the system but may not have administrative privileges. Network operators using NorthStar Controller applications should consider this vulnerability as part of their overall security posture assessment, particularly when evaluating the risk of insider threats or compromised local accounts.
The recommended mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate deployment of Juniper Networks' patched versions, specifically version 2.1.0 Service Pack 1 or later. Organizations should also implement process monitoring and resource limit controls to detect and prevent excessive process creation patterns. System administrators should consider implementing mandatory access controls and process accounting to track resource consumption and identify anomalous behavior. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper resource management in controller applications and serves as a reminder that network infrastructure management systems require robust protection against both external and internal threats. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include verification of proper process management controls to prevent similar scenarios from occurring in other network management applications.