CVE-2023-36849: Junos OS and Junos OS Evolved: The l2cpd will crash when a malformed LLDP packet is received

Published Jul 14, 2023
·
Updated

An Improper Check or Handling of Exceptional Conditions vulnerability in the Layer-2 control protocols daemon (l2cpd) of Juniper Networks Junos OS and Junos OS Evolved allows an unauthenticated adjacent attacker to cause a Denial of Service (DoS).

When a malformed LLDP packet is received, l2cpd will crash and restart. The impact of the l2cpd crash is reinitialization of STP protocols (RSTP, MSTP or VSTP), and MVRP and ERP. Also, if any services depend on LLDP state (like PoE or VoIP device recognition), then these will also be affected. Continued receipt of such packets will lead to a sustained Denial of Service.

This issue affects: Juniper Networks Junos OS 21.4 versions prior to 21.4R3-S3; 22.1 versions prior to 22.1R3-S3; 22.2 versions prior to 22.2R2-S1, 22.2R3; 22.3 versions prior to 22.3R2.

Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolved 21.4-EVO versions prior to 21.4R3-S2-EVO; 22.1-EVO versions prior to 22.1R3-S3-EVO; 22.2-EVO versions prior to 22.2R2-S1-EVO, 22.2R3-EVO; 22.3-EVO versions prior to 22.3R2-EVO.

Affected Software

49 affected components
Juniper JUNOS=21.4
Juniper JUNOS=21.4-r1
Juniper JUNOS=21.4-r1-s1
Juniper JUNOS=21.4-r1-s2
Juniper JUNOS=21.4-r2
Juniper JUNOS=21.4-r2-s1
Juniper JUNOS=21.4-r2-s2
Juniper JUNOS=21.4-r3
Juniper JUNOS=21.4-r3-s1
Juniper JUNOS=21.4-r3-s2
Juniper JUNOS=22.1-r1
Juniper JUNOS=22.1-r1-s1
Juniper JUNOS=22.1-r1-s2
Juniper JUNOS=22.1-r2
Juniper JUNOS=22.1-r2-s1
Juniper JUNOS=22.1-r2-s2
Juniper JUNOS=22.1-r3
Juniper JUNOS=22.1-r3-s1
Juniper JUNOS=22.1-r3-s2
Juniper JUNOS=22.2-r1
Juniper JUNOS=22.2-r1-s1
Juniper JUNOS=22.2-r1-s2
Juniper JUNOS=22.2-r2
Juniper JUNOS=22.3-r1
Juniper JUNOS=22.3-r1-s1
Juniper JUNOS=22.3-r1-s2
Juniper Junos OS Evolved=21.4
Juniper Junos OS Evolved=21.4-r1
Juniper Junos OS Evolved=21.4-r1-s1
Juniper Junos OS Evolved=21.4-r1-s2
Juniper Junos OS Evolved=21.4-r2
Juniper Junos OS Evolved=21.4-r2-s1
Juniper Junos OS Evolved=21.4-r2-s2
Juniper Junos OS Evolved=21.4-r3
Juniper Junos OS Evolved=21.4-r3-s1
Juniper Junos OS Evolved=22.1-r1
Juniper Junos OS Evolved=22.1-r1-s1
Juniper Junos OS Evolved=22.1-r1-s2
Juniper Junos OS Evolved=22.1-r2
Juniper Junos OS Evolved=22.1-r2-s1
Juniper Junos OS Evolved=22.1-r3
Juniper Junos OS Evolved=22.1-r3-s1
Juniper Junos OS Evolved=22.1-r3-s2
Juniper Junos OS Evolved=22.2-r1
Juniper Junos OS Evolved=22.2-r1-s1
Juniper Junos OS Evolved=22.2-r2
Juniper Junos OS Evolved=22.3-r1
Juniper Junos OS Evolved=22.3-r1-s1
Juniper Junos OS Evolved=22.3-r1-s2

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade Juniper Networks Junos OS to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 21.4R3-S3
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade Juniper Networks Junos OS to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 22.1R3-S3
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade Juniper Networks Junos OS to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 22.2R2-S1
  4. Upgrade

    Upgrade Juniper Networks Junos OS to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 22.2R3
  5. Upgrade

    Upgrade Juniper Networks Junos OS to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 22.3R2
  6. Upgrade

    Upgrade Juniper Networks Junos OS to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 22.4R1
  7. Upgrade

    Upgrade Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolved to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 21.4R3-S2-EVO
  8. Upgrade

    Upgrade Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolved to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 22.1R3-S3-EVO
  9. Upgrade

    Upgrade Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolved to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 22.2R2-S1-EVO
  10. Upgrade

    Upgrade Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolved to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 22.2R3-EVO
  11. Upgrade

    Upgrade Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolved to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 22.3R2-EVO
  12. Compensating control

    If any services depend on LLDP state (e.g., PoE or VoIP device recognition), account for the impact of l2cpd crashes/restarts when malformed LLDP packets are received (STP reinitialization: RSTP, MSTP or VSTP; and MVRP and ERP reinitialization).

  13. Operational

    After upgrading to resolve the l2cpd improper handling of malformed LLDP packets, verify operation of STP protocols (RSTP/MSTP/VSTP) and MVRP and ERP, since the l2cpd crash causes their reinitialization.

Event History

Jul 14, 2023
CVE Published
via MITRE·05:58 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·05:58 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
06:15 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·06:15 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is CVE-2023-36849?

CVE-2023-36849 is an Improper Check or Handling of Exceptional Conditions vulnerability in the Layer-2 control protocols daemon (l2cpd) of Juniper Networks Junos OS and Junos OS Evolved.

2

How does CVE-2023-36849 impact Juniper Networks Junos OS?

CVE-2023-36849 can allow an unauthenticated adjacent attacker to cause a Denial of Service (DoS).

3

Is authentication required to exploit CVE-2023-36849?

No, CVE-2023-36849 can be exploited by an unauthenticated adjacent attacker.

4

What is the severity of CVE-2023-36849?

CVE-2023-36849 has a severity level of medium, with a CVSS score of 6.5.

5

How can I fix CVE-2023-36849?

Apply the necessary updates or patches provided by Juniper Networks. Please refer to the Juniper Networks support portal for more information: https://supportportal.juniper.net/JSA71660

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203