CVE-2017-2349 in Junos
Summary
by MITRE
A command injection vulnerability in the IDP feature of Juniper Networks Junos OS on SRX series devices potentially allows a user with login access to the device to execute shell commands and elevate privileges. Affected releases are Juniper Networks Junos OS 12.1X44 prior to 12.1X44-D60; 12.1X46 prior to 12.1X46-D50; 12.1X47 prior to 12.1X47-D30, 12.1X47-D35; 12.3X48 prior to 12.3X48-D20, 12.3X48-D30; 15.1X49 prior to 15.1X49-D20, 15.1X49-D30.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2022
The command injection vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2349 represents a critical security flaw within the Identity and Access Management (IDP) feature of Juniper Networks Junos OS operating on SRX series devices. This vulnerability resides in the authentication and privilege management subsystem, creating an avenue for malicious actors who have already established login access to escalate their privileges and execute arbitrary shell commands on the affected network infrastructure. The flaw fundamentally undermines the security model of these devices by allowing authenticated users to bypass normal access controls and gain elevated system-level privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the IDP feature's command processing mechanism. When legitimate users submit commands through the affected interface, the system fails to adequately sanitize or validate the input parameters before executing them within the shell environment. This creates a classic command injection scenario where user-supplied data can be interpreted and executed as system commands, effectively allowing attackers to manipulate the underlying operating system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the device's own authentication framework, meaning that an attacker who has already gained access to a user account can leverage this flaw to achieve root-level privileges without requiring additional attack vectors.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2349 extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of network infrastructure. Once an attacker achieves elevated privileges through this vulnerability, they can modify firewall rules, access sensitive configuration data, monitor network traffic, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the network. The affected SRX series devices serve as critical network security appliances that protect enterprise networks, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in production environments. The vulnerability affects multiple software versions across different release branches, indicating that it was likely introduced in a specific code module and persisted through various maintenance releases without proper remediation.
Organizations running affected Juniper SRX devices face significant risk from this vulnerability, as it enables attackers to move laterally within networks and potentially compromise entire infrastructure domains. The vulnerability's presence in multiple release versions suggests that it may have been introduced in a core authentication module and propagated through various code branches, making comprehensive patching essential across all affected systems. Security teams must implement immediate mitigation strategies including network segmentation, monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns, and verification of device integrity through cryptographic checks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-78 categories related to command injection flaws, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege as defined in cybersecurity frameworks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2349 require immediate implementation of official Juniper security patches and firmware updates across all affected SRX series devices. Organizations should also implement network monitoring solutions capable of detecting anomalous command execution patterns and privilege escalation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the use of legitimate credentials to gain elevated access. Network administrators should consider implementing additional access controls, including role-based access controls and mandatory access controls, to limit the potential impact of compromised accounts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any potential exploitation attempts and ensure that all security controls remain effective against evolving threats.