CVE-2019-0047 in Junos
Summary
by MITRE
A persistent Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Junos OS J-Web interface may allow remote unauthenticated attackers to perform administrative actions on the Junos device. Successful exploitation requires a Junos administrator to first perform certain diagnostic actions on J-Web. This issue affects: Juniper Networks Junos OS 12.1X46 versions prior to 12.1X46-D86; 12.3 versions prior to 12.3R12-S13; 12.3X48 versions prior to 12.3X48-D80; 14.1X53 versions prior to 14.1X53-D51; 15.1 versions prior to 15.1F6-S13, 15.1R7-S4; 15.1X49 versions prior to 15.1X49-D171, 15.1X49-D180; 15.1X53 versions prior to 15.1X53-D497, 15.1X53-D69; 16.1 versions prior to 16.1R7-S5; 16.2 versions prior to 16.2R2-S9; 17.1 versions prior to 17.1R3; 17.2 versions prior to 17.2R1-S8, 17.2R2-S7, 17.2R3-S1; 17.3 versions prior to 17.3R3-S6; 17.4 versions prior to 17.4R1-S7, 17.4R2-S4, 17.4R3; 18.1 versions prior to 18.1R3-S5; 18.2 versions prior to 18.2R1-S5, 18.2R2-S3, 18.2R3; 18.3 versions prior to 18.3R1-S3, 18.3R2, 18.3R3; 18.4 versions prior to 18.4R1-S2, 18.4R2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2024
This persistent cross-site scripting vulnerability in Junos OS J-Web interface represents a significant security risk that combines multiple attack vectors to enable remote administrative compromise. The vulnerability operates through a persistent XSS flaw that allows unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts into the web interface, which can then be executed when administrators access the J-Web interface. This creates a dangerous scenario where attackers can manipulate administrative functions without requiring authentication credentials, effectively providing them with elevated privileges on network devices. The attack requires a specific prerequisite where a Junos administrator must first perform certain diagnostic actions on the J-Web interface, which creates a window of opportunity for exploitation that aligns with the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the J-Web interface components of Junos OS. When administrators interact with diagnostic functions through the web interface, the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it in the web response. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a persistent variant where malicious scripts are stored on the server and executed on subsequent visits rather than requiring a single injection event. The vulnerability affects multiple major versions of Junos OS, spanning from 12.1X46 through 18.4R2 releases, indicating a long-standing issue that persisted across numerous software iterations and demonstrates the complexity of addressing such flaws in enterprise network infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution to encompass complete administrative compromise of network devices. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform actions such as creating new administrative accounts, modifying device configurations, accessing sensitive network data, and potentially establishing persistent access points within the network infrastructure. The requirement for administrator interaction creates a sophisticated attack pattern that aligns with social engineering tactics, as attackers must first convince administrators to perform specific diagnostic procedures that trigger the vulnerability. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the context of supply chain attacks or targeted social engineering campaigns where attackers manipulate administrators into executing malicious actions that ultimately provide the attacker with administrative control over network devices.
Mitigation strategies must address both the immediate vulnerability and the broader security posture of affected Junos devices. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided security patches and updates for all affected Junos OS versions, with particular attention to the specific release versions mentioned in the vulnerability description. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of J-Web interfaces to trusted administrative networks, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect unusual administrative activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional protection layers against similar XSS vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and administrator training programs should be established to reduce the risk of successful exploitation through social engineering approaches, while maintaining comprehensive logging and audit trails to detect unauthorized administrative activities that may indicate successful compromise of the device.