CVE-2026-21908 - Junos OS Plugin
CVE-2026-21908
A Use After Free vulnerability was identified in the 802.1X authentication daemon (dot1xd) of Juniper Networks Junos OS and Junos OS Evolved that could allow an authenticated, network-adjacent attacker flapping a port to crash the dot1xd process, leading to a Denial of Service (DoS), or potentially execute arbitrary code within the context of the process running as root.
The issue is specific to the processing of a change in authorization (CoA) when a port bounce occurs. A pointer is freed but was then referenced later in the same code path. Successful exploitation is outside the attacker's direct control due to the specific timing of the two events required to execute the vulnerable code path.
This issue affects systems with 802.1X authentication port-based network access control (PNAC) enabled.
This issue affects:
Junos OS:
* from 23.2R2-S1 before 23.2R2-S5,
* from 23.4R2 before 23.4R2-S6,
* from 24.2 before 24.2R2-S3,
* from 24.4 before 24.4R2-S1,
* from 25.2 before 25.2R1-S2, 25.2R2;
Junos OS Evolved:
* from 23.2R2-S1 before 23.2R2-S5-EVO,
* from 23.4R2 before 23.4R2-S6-EVO,
* from 24.2 before 24.2R2-S3-EVO,
* from 24.4 before 24.4R2-S1-EVO,
* from 25.2 before 25.2R1-S2-EVO, 25.2R2-EVO.
CVE-2026-21908
HIGH
CVSS 7.5
Published 2026-01-15
Updated 2026-01-23
AI Risk Elevated (68/100)
Active Exploit: No strong signal
Published Exploit: No public exploit references
Priority: P3 Priority
Severity Band
HIGH
CVSS Vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:A/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:L/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:M/U:Green
Affected Components
2
Reference Links
2
AI Risk Engine
Elevated (68/100)
Exploitability
Medium
Active Exploitation
No strong signal
Published Exploit Status
No public exploit references
AI Context
Machine-generated threat intelligence
AI
Updated 10 days ago
AI enriched 10 days ago (2026-04-09 08:01 UTC)
Technical Summary
A Use After Free vulnerability was identified in the 802.1X authentication daemon (dot1xd) of Juniper Networks Junos OS and Junos OS Evolved that could allow an authenticated, network-adjacent attacker flapping a port to crash the dot1xd process, leading to a Denial of Service (DoS), or potentially execute arbitrary code within the context of the process running as root. The issue is specific to the processing of a change in authorization (CoA) when a port bounce occurs. A pointer is freed but…
Potential Impact
Severity is HIGH (CVSS 7.5). Depending on deployment context, affected components may be exposed to unauthorized actions or data integrity risk.
Exploitability Assessment
Exploitability is assessed as Medium based on severity and technical exposure profile.
Primary risk drivers: severity and technical exposure profile
Mitigation Recommendations
Validate affected product versions, prioritize patching, and monitor references for vendor remediation guidance. If immediate patching is not possible, apply compensating controls and limit exposure of vulnerable surfaces.
Detection & Monitoring
Track authentication anomalies, unexpected file writes, and suspicious plugin API activity around affected components.
Business Impact Lens
Prioritize remediation where affected components process customer data, admin sessions, or Internet-exposed workflows.
