Insecure root password recovery in Junos OS NFX Series

1) Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls

EUVDB-ID: #VU75153

Risk: Low

CVSSv3.1: 5.9 [CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2023-28972

CWE-ID: CWE-264 - Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows an attacker to compromise the affected system.

The vulnerability exists due to improperly imposed security restrictions on the console port. When "set system ports console insecure" is enabled, root login is disallowed for Junos OS as expected. However, the root password can be changed using "set system root-authentication plain-text-password" on NFX Series systems, leading to a possible administrative bypass with physical access to the console.

Mitigation

Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Juniper Junos OS: 19.2 - 22.3R1-S1

External links

http://supportportal.juniper.net/s/article/2023-04-Security-Bulletin-Junos-OS-NFX-Series-set-system-ports-console-insecure-allows-root-password-recovery-CVE-2023-28972

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. The attacker should have physical access to the system in order to successfully exploit this vulnerability.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.