CVE-2017-2333 in NorthStar Controller Application
Summary
by MITRE
A persistent denial of service vulnerability in Juniper Networks NorthStar Controller Application prior to version 2.1.0 Service Pack 1 may allow a malicious, network-based, authenticated attacker to consume enough system resources to cause a persistent denial of service by visiting certain specific URLs on the server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2333 represents a critical persistent denial of service flaw within Juniper Networks NorthStar Controller Application. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 2.1.0 Service Pack 1 and creates a significant operational risk for network infrastructure administrators who rely on this controller for network management and orchestration. The flaw manifests through a carefully crafted sequence of requests that can be initiated by authenticated attackers with network-based access, making it particularly dangerous as it requires minimal privileges to exploit. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-400 as a resource exhaustion issue, where the attacker can systematically consume system resources to render the application unavailable to legitimate users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and resource management within the web application layer of the NorthStar Controller. When authenticated users navigate to specific URLs on the server, the application fails to properly validate or limit the resource consumption associated with these requests. This allows an attacker to repeatedly submit requests that trigger memory allocation, thread creation, or other resource-intensive operations without proper bounds checking. The flaw is particularly insidious because it enables persistent denial of service rather than a simple temporary disruption, meaning that once exploited, the system remains compromised until manually restarted or patched. The attack vector requires only network-based access and authentication, making it accessible to adversaries who have gained legitimate credentials or can obtain them through other means.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2333 extends far beyond simple service disruption, potentially compromising the entire network management infrastructure that relies on the NorthStar Controller. Organizations using this application may experience complete loss of network management capabilities, forcing them into manual network operations and significantly increasing the risk of configuration errors or network outages. The persistent nature of the denial of service means that traditional recovery mechanisms may be ineffective, as the system resources remain consumed until the underlying vulnerability is addressed through patching or system restart. This vulnerability directly impacts the availability component of the CIA triad and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1499.100 as a resource exhaustion attack, where the attacker targets system resources to prevent legitimate use of services. The vulnerability also intersects with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access, as the attack requires authenticated access to the system, making it a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks if combined with credential compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch application to versions 2.1.0 Service Pack 1 or later, which contain the necessary fixes for the resource management and input validation issues. Network administrators should implement strict access controls and monitoring for the NorthStar Controller application, particularly around the vulnerable URL endpoints. The implementation of rate limiting and resource usage monitoring can provide early detection of exploitation attempts, allowing for rapid response before complete service disruption occurs. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their network management infrastructure to identify other potential vulnerabilities that may be exploited in conjunction with this flaw. Regular security updates and vulnerability scanning should be implemented as part of the overall security posture to prevent similar issues from arising in the future. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper resource management in web applications and highlights the need for comprehensive input validation to prevent attackers from exploiting legitimate application functionality to cause system-wide disruption.