CVE-2021-0220 in Junos Space Network Management Platform
Summary
by MITRE • 01/16/2021
The Junos Space Network Management Platform has been found to store shared secrets in a recoverable format that can be exposed through the UI. An attacker who is able to execute arbitrary code in the victim browser (for example via XSS) or access cached contents may be able to obtain a copy of credentials managed by Junos Space. The impact of a successful attack includes, but is not limited to, obtaining access to other servers connected to the Junos Space Management Platform. This issue affects Juniper Networks Junos Space versions prior to 20.3R1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/15/2021
The vulnerability CVE-2021-0220 represents a critical security flaw in Juniper Networks Junos Space Network Management Platform that exposes shared secrets through recoverable storage mechanisms. This issue stems from improper credential handling within the platform's user interface components, creating an attack vector that can be exploited by malicious actors who gain execution privileges in the victim's browser environment. The vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 20.3R1, indicating that Juniper addressed this weakness in their subsequent releases. The exposed credentials could potentially provide attackers with access to connected network devices and systems managed by the Junos Space platform, creating a significant risk for network infrastructure security. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of credential exposure through insecure storage practices, which aligns with CWE-312 (CWE-312: Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-522 (CWE-522: Insufficiently Protected Credentials) classifications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the platform's storage mechanism for shared secrets, which are maintained in a format that can be easily recovered through browser-based attacks. When attackers execute arbitrary code within a victim's browser through cross-site scripting techniques, they can access cached content or directly retrieve stored credentials from the user interface components. This attack vector demonstrates the platform's inadequate protection of sensitive information during storage and retrieval operations, particularly when dealing with shared secrets that are essential for network authentication and access control. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple credential theft, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to escalate privileges and gain access to additional network resources connected to the Junos Space management platform, potentially compromising entire network infrastructures.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations relying on Junos Space for network management, as it represents a pathway for attackers to establish persistent access to critical network components. The exposure of shared secrets through recoverable formats means that even if attackers cannot directly access the platform's backend systems, they can still leverage stolen credentials to authenticate and interact with managed devices. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where network administrators frequently interact with the Junos Space platform through web browsers, making it a prime target for phishing attacks, social engineering campaigns, or exploitation of other browser-based vulnerabilities. The attack scenario typically involves an initial compromise through XSS vulnerabilities that allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into the browser environment, subsequently enabling them to extract stored credentials from the platform's user interface.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to Junos Space version 20.3R1 or later, which contains patches addressing this credential exposure issue. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive audits of their network management platform configurations to identify any potential exposure of shared secrets through browser caching mechanisms or insecure storage practices. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict browser security policies, enabling content security policies to prevent unauthorized script execution, and conducting regular penetration testing to identify potential XSS vulnerabilities that could be leveraged to exploit this weakness. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit the potential impact of credential compromise, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual authentication patterns that might indicate credential theft. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1555 (Credentials from Password Stores) and T1212 (Exploitation for Credential Access) methodologies, emphasizing the importance of protecting stored credentials and preventing unauthorized access through browser-based attacks.