CVE-2024-21604: Junos OS Evolved: A high rate of specific traffic will cause a complete system outage
An Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling vulnerability in the kernel of Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolved allows an unauthenticated, network-based attacker to cause a Denial of Service (DoS).
If a high rate of specific valid packets are processed by the routing engine (RE) this will lead to a loss of connectivity of the RE with other components of the chassis and thereby a complete and persistent system outage. Please note that a carefully designed lo0 firewall filter will block or limit these packets which should prevent this issue from occurring.
The following log messages can be seen when this issue occurs:
<host> kernel: nfconntrack: nfconntrack: table full, dropping packet This issue affects Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolved:
All versions earlier than 20.4R3-S7-EVO; 21.2R1-EVO and later versions; 21.4-EVO versions earlier than 21.4R3-S5-EVO; 22.1-EVO versions earlier than 22.1R3-S2-EVO; 22.2-EVO versions earlier than 22.2R3-EVO; 22.3-EVO versions earlier than 22.3R2-EVO; 22.4-EVO versions earlier than 22.4R2-EVO.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Upgrade
Upgrade
Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolvedto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 20.4R3-S7-EVO - Upgrade
Upgrade
Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolvedto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 21.4R3-S5-EVO - Upgrade
Upgrade
Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolvedto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 22.1R3-S2-EVO - Upgrade
Upgrade
Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolvedto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 22.2R3-EVO - Upgrade
Upgrade
Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolvedto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 22.3R2-EVO - Upgrade
Upgrade
Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolvedto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 22.4R2-EVO - Upgrade
Upgrade
Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolvedto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 23.2R1-EVO - Compensating control
Implement a carefully designed lo0 firewall filter to block or limit the specific high-rate valid packets that trigger the nf_conntrack table-full condition on the routing engine (RE), to prevent loss of RE connectivity and persistent system outage.
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2024-21604?
CVE-2024-21604 has a severity rating that indicates a high risk of Denial of Service attacks if exploited.
How do I fix CVE-2024-21604?
To fix CVE-2024-21604, it is recommended to apply the latest security patches provided by Juniper Networks for affected versions of Junos OS Evolved.
Which versions of Junos OS Evolved are affected by CVE-2024-21604?
CVE-2024-21604 affects multiple versions of Junos OS Evolved, including 21.2, 21.4, 22.1, 22.2, 22.3, and 22.4.
Who can exploit CVE-2024-21604?
CVE-2024-21604 can be exploited by unauthenticated, network-based attackers.
What type of vulnerability is CVE-2024-21604?
CVE-2024-21604 is classified as an Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling vulnerability.