CVE-2022-22248 : Security Advisory and Response

An Incorrect Permission Assignment vulnerability in shell processing of Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolved allows a low-privileged local user to modify the contents of a configuration file which could cause another user to execute arbitrary commands within the context of the follow-on user's session. If the follow-on user is a high-privileged administrator, the attacker could leverage this vulnerability to take complete control of the target system. While this issue is triggered by a user, other than the attacker, accessing the Junos shell, an attacker simply requires Junos CLI access to exploit this vulnerability. This issue affects Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolved: 20.4-EVO versions prior to 20.4R3-S1-EVO; All versions of 21.1-EVO; 21.2-EVO versions prior to 21.2R3-EVO; 21.3-EVO versions prior to 21.3R2-EVO. This issue does not affect Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolved versions prior to 19.2R1-EVO.

Understanding CVE-2022-22248

This CVE involves an Incorrect Permission Assignment vulnerability in Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolved that allows unauthorized users to execute arbitrary commands.

What is CVE-2022-22248?

CVE-2022-22248 is a vulnerability in Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolved that enables low-privileged users to manipulate configuration files and potentially execute unauthorized commands on the system.

The Impact of CVE-2022-22248

The impact of this vulnerability is severe as it could allow attackers to gain complete control of the target system, especially if a high-privileged administrator is affected.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-22248

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from incorrect permission assignment in the shell processing of Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolved.

Affected Systems and Versions

Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolved 20.4-EVO versions prior to 20.4R3-S1-EVO
All versions of 21.1-EVO
21.2-EVO versions prior to 21.2R3-EVO
21.3-EVO versions prior to 21.3R2-EVO
Not affecting versions prior to 19.2R1-EVO

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by gaining Junos CLI access and manipulating configuration files to execute unauthorized commands.

Mitigation and Prevention

Here are some essential steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2022-22248.

Immediate Steps to Take

Limit access to the Junos shell by system administrators until an upgrade can be performed.
Use access lists or firewall filters to restrict Junos CLI access only from trusted hosts and administrators.

Long-Term Security Practices

It is recommended to regularly update and patch systems to prevent such vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Ensure your system is updated with the following software releases to fix this vulnerability: Junos OS Evolved 20.4R3-S1-EVO, 21.2R3-EVO, 21.3R2-EVO, 21.4R1-EVO, and all subsequent releases.