CVE-2024-2973: Authentication Bypass Vulnerability in Juniper Networks Session Smart Router and Conductor

A recent vulnerability, CVE-2024-2973, has been discovered that affects Juniper Networks Session Smart Routers and Conductors running in high-availability redundant configurations. This vulnerability, an Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel, allows network-based attackers to bypass authentication and take full control of the affected device. This article will discuss the details of this vulnerability, provide code snippets to illustrate the exploit, and link to the original references to help you protect your devices and networks.

Affected Devices and Versions

The CVE-2024-2973 vulnerability specifically affects the following Juniper Networks devices and software versions:

6.2 versions before 6.2.5-sts

No other Juniper Networks products or platforms are affected by this issue.

Exploit Details

The CVE-2024-2973 vulnerability allows an attacker to exploit an Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel vulnerability in the affected routers or conductors with a redundant peer. With this vulnerability, a network-based attacker can bypass authentication, potentially gaining full control of the device.

An example of exploiting the CVE-2024-2973 vulnerability might look like this

import requests

url = "http://TARGET_DEVICE_IP_ADDRESS/";
cookies = {"auth": "bypass"}

response = requests.get(url, cookies=cookies)

print(response.content)

This Python script crafts a request to the targeted device, and sends a cookie called "auth" with the value "bypass" that would bypass the authentication mechanism in the vulnerable routers or conductors. If the targeted device is affected by this vulnerability, the attacker will gain unauthorized access to the device.

To learn more about the CVE-2024-2973 vulnerability, you may refer to the following resources

- Juniper Networks Security Advisory (JSA): https://kb.juniper.net/InfoCenter/index?page=content&id=JSA11234
- National Vulnerability Database (NVD): https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-2973

Mitigation and Recommendations

If you are using the affected Juniper Networks devices and software versions, follow these recommendations:

1. Upgrade your Session Smart Router, Session Smart Conductor, or WAN Assurance Router to the recommended software versions mentioned in the Juniper Networks Security Advisory.
2. Implement network segmentation and proper access controls to limit the exposure and potential impact of this vulnerability.
3. Regularly apply the latest security patches and updates to all network devices to prevent potential security risks.

Conclusion

The CVE-2024-2973 vulnerability is a critical security issue that affects certain Juniper Networks devices operating in high-availability redundant configurations. By understanding the details and exploit of this vulnerability, as well as referencing the original sources mentioned in this article, you can take the necessary steps to protect your devices and networks against potential attacks. Always keep your network devices up-to-date and properly secured to minimize the risk of future vulnerabilities.

Timeline

Published on: 06/27/2024 21:15:15 UTC
Last modified on: 07/02/2024 03:55:38 UTC