CVE-2020-1606 in Junos
Summary
by MITRE
A path traversal vulnerability in the Juniper Networks Junos OS device may allow an authenticated J-web user to read files with 'world' readable permission and delete files with 'world' writeable permission. This issue does not affect system files that can be accessed only by root user. This issue affects Juniper Networks Junos OS: 12.3 versions prior to 12.3R12-S13; 12.3X48 versions prior to 12.3X48-D85 on SRX Series; 14.1X53 versions prior to 14.1X53-D51; 15.1F6 versions prior to 15.1F6-S13; 15.1 versions prior to 15.1R7-S5; 15.1X49 versions prior to 15.1X49-D180 on SRX Series; 15.1X53 versions prior to 15.1X53-D238 on QFX5200/QFX5110 Series; 16.1 versions prior to 16.1R4-S13, 16.1R7-S5; 16.2 versions prior to 16.2R2-S10; 17.1 versions prior to 17.1R3-S1; 17.2 versions prior to 17.2R1-S9, 17.2R3-S2; 17.3 versions prior to 17.3R2-S5, 17.3R3-S5; 17.4 versions prior to 17.4R2-S9, 17.4R3; 18.1 versions prior to 18.1R3-S8; 18.2 versions prior to 18.2R3; 18.3 versions prior to 18.3R2-S3, 18.3R3; 18.4 versions prior to 18.4R2; 19.1 versions prior to 19.1R1-S4, 19.1R2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-1606 represents a path traversal flaw within Juniper Networks Junos OS operating systems that enables authenticated J-web users to access and manipulate files with world-readable or world-writable permissions. This security weakness specifically targets the web-based management interface of Junos OS devices, creating a significant risk for systems that rely on the J-web administrative console for configuration and monitoring tasks. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the file handling mechanisms of the web interface, allowing attackers to craft malicious requests that can bypass normal access controls. This issue is particularly concerning because it affects multiple versions across different Junos OS releases, spanning from version 12.3 through 19.1, indicating a prolonged period of exposure across the product lifecycle.
The technical implementation of this path traversal vulnerability allows an authenticated user to exploit directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries when accessing files through the J-web interface. This flaw specifically impacts files that have world-readable permissions, enabling unauthorized information disclosure, and files with world-writable permissions, allowing for file deletion and modification operations. The vulnerability does not extend to system files that require root-level access, which provides some mitigation but does not eliminate the overall risk to the device's configuration and operational integrity. According to CWE-22, this vulnerability maps directly to the Common Weakness Enumeration for path traversal attacks, which is classified as a directory traversal or path traversal vulnerability that allows attackers to access files outside of the intended directory structure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access, as it can enable attackers to gather sensitive configuration information, potentially leading to further exploitation opportunities within the network infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can access system logs, configuration files, and other sensitive data that may contain credentials, network topology information, or other intelligence useful for advancing attacks. The ability to delete world-writable files further compounds the risk, as it could potentially disrupt device operations or allow for the removal of critical system components. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1070 (Indicator Removal on Host), as it provides methods for information gathering and potential file manipulation that could be used to cover tracks or establish persistence. The vulnerability affects various Juniper product lines including SRX Series firewalls, QFX5200/QFX5110 Series switches, and general Junos OS deployments, making it a widespread concern across network security infrastructure.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigation measures including applying the relevant security patches provided by Juniper Networks, which address the specific path traversal implementation flaws in the affected versions. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit the number of users with J-web access privileges, and regular monitoring of web interface access logs should be implemented to detect anomalous file access patterns. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any unauthorized access attempts or file manipulation activities that may have occurred prior to patching. Additionally, implementing network-based intrusion detection systems and configuring web application firewalls to monitor for path traversal attack patterns can provide additional layers of protection. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched systems to ensure that the vulnerability has been properly addressed without introducing regressions in functionality, particularly in the web management interface components that handle file operations and user authentication.