CVE-2021-31351

7.5 HIGH

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability allows an attacker to cause a denial of service on Juniper MX Series routers by sending specially crafted packets that trigger a reset of the MS-MPC/MS-MIC components. The vulnerability affects specific versions of Juniper Networks Junos OS on MX Series routers, potentially leading to sustained service disruption.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:
  • Juniper Networks MX Series routers
Versions: 17.3R3-S11; 17.4R2-S13; 17.4R3 prior to 17.4R3-S5; 18.1R3-S12; 18.2R2-S8, 18.2R3-S7, 18.2R3-S8; 18.3R3-S4; 18.4R3-S7; 19.1R3-S4, 19.1R3-S5; 19.2R1-S6; 19.3R3-S2; 19.4R2-S4, 19.4R2-S5; 19.4R3-S2; 20.1R2-S1; 20.2R2-S2, 20.2R2-S3, 20.2R3; 20.3R2, 20.3R2-S1; 20.4R1, 20.4R1-S1, 20.4R2; 21.1R1
Operating Systems: Juniper Junos OS
Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes
Notes: Only affects systems with MS-MPC/MS-MIC components. Does not affect versions prior to 15.1X49-D240.

📦 What is this software?

Junos by Juniper

Junos OS is Juniper Networks' flagship network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, security appliances, and data center infrastructure worldwide. Deployed across telecommunications providers, ISPs, cloud service providers, financial institutions, and large enterprises, Junos po...

Learn more about Junos →

Junos by Juniper

Junos OS is Juniper Networks' flagship network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, security appliances, and data center infrastructure worldwide. Deployed across telecommunications providers, ISPs, cloud service providers, financial institutions, and large enterprises, Junos po...

Learn more about Junos →

Junos by Juniper

Junos OS is Juniper Networks' flagship network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, security appliances, and data center infrastructure worldwide. Deployed across telecommunications providers, ISPs, cloud service providers, financial institutions, and large enterprises, Junos po...

Learn more about Junos →

Junos by Juniper

Junos OS is Juniper Networks' flagship network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, security appliances, and data center infrastructure worldwide. Deployed across telecommunications providers, ISPs, cloud service providers, financial institutions, and large enterprises, Junos po...

Learn more about Junos →

Junos by Juniper

Junos OS is Juniper Networks' flagship network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, security appliances, and data center infrastructure worldwide. Deployed across telecommunications providers, ISPs, cloud service providers, financial institutions, and large enterprises, Junos po...

Learn more about Junos →

Junos by Juniper

Junos OS is Juniper Networks' flagship network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, security appliances, and data center infrastructure worldwide. Deployed across telecommunications providers, ISPs, cloud service providers, financial institutions, and large enterprises, Junos po...

Learn more about Junos →

Junos by Juniper

Junos OS is Juniper Networks' flagship network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, security appliances, and data center infrastructure worldwide. Deployed across telecommunications providers, ISPs, cloud service providers, financial institutions, and large enterprises, Junos po...

Learn more about Junos →

Junos by Juniper

Junos OS is Juniper Networks' flagship network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, security appliances, and data center infrastructure worldwide. Deployed across telecommunications providers, ISPs, cloud service providers, financial institutions, and large enterprises, Junos po...

Learn more about Junos →

Junos by Juniper

Junos OS is Juniper Networks' flagship network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, security appliances, and data center infrastructure worldwide. Deployed across telecommunications providers, ISPs, cloud service providers, financial institutions, and large enterprises, Junos po...

Learn more about Junos →

Junos by Juniper

Junos OS is Juniper Networks' flagship network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, security appliances, and data center infrastructure worldwide. Deployed across telecommunications providers, ISPs, cloud service providers, financial institutions, and large enterprises, Junos po...

Learn more about Junos →

Junos by Juniper

Junos OS is Juniper Networks' flagship network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, security appliances, and data center infrastructure worldwide. Deployed across telecommunications providers, ISPs, cloud service providers, financial institutions, and large enterprises, Junos po...

Learn more about Junos →

Junos by Juniper

Junos OS is Juniper Networks' flagship network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, security appliances, and data center infrastructure worldwide. Deployed across telecommunications providers, ISPs, cloud service providers, financial institutions, and large enterprises, Junos po...

Learn more about Junos →

Junos by Juniper

Junos OS is Juniper Networks' flagship network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, security appliances, and data center infrastructure worldwide. Deployed across telecommunications providers, ISPs, cloud service providers, financial institutions, and large enterprises, Junos po...

Learn more about Junos →

Junos by Juniper

Junos OS is Juniper Networks' flagship network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, security appliances, and data center infrastructure worldwide. Deployed across telecommunications providers, ISPs, cloud service providers, financial institutions, and large enterprises, Junos po...

Learn more about Junos →

Junos by Juniper

Junos OS is Juniper Networks' flagship network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, security appliances, and data center infrastructure worldwide. Deployed across telecommunications providers, ISPs, cloud service providers, financial institutions, and large enterprises, Junos po...

Learn more about Junos →

Junos by Juniper

Junos OS is Juniper Networks' flagship network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, security appliances, and data center infrastructure worldwide. Deployed across telecommunications providers, ISPs, cloud service providers, financial institutions, and large enterprises, Junos po...

Learn more about Junos →

Junos by Juniper

Junos OS is Juniper Networks' flagship network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, security appliances, and data center infrastructure worldwide. Deployed across telecommunications providers, ISPs, cloud service providers, financial institutions, and large enterprises, Junos po...

Learn more about Junos →

Junos by Juniper

Junos OS is Juniper Networks' flagship network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, security appliances, and data center infrastructure worldwide. Deployed across telecommunications providers, ISPs, cloud service providers, financial institutions, and large enterprises, Junos po...

Learn more about Junos →

Junos by Juniper

Junos OS is Juniper Networks' flagship network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, security appliances, and data center infrastructure worldwide. Deployed across telecommunications providers, ISPs, cloud service providers, financial institutions, and large enterprises, Junos po...

Learn more about Junos →

Junos by Juniper

Junos OS is Juniper Networks' flagship network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, security appliances, and data center infrastructure worldwide. Deployed across telecommunications providers, ISPs, cloud service providers, financial institutions, and large enterprises, Junos po...

Learn more about Junos →

Junos by Juniper

Junos OS is Juniper Networks' flagship network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, security appliances, and data center infrastructure worldwide. Deployed across telecommunications providers, ISPs, cloud service providers, financial institutions, and large enterprises, Junos po...

Learn more about Junos →

Junos by Juniper

Junos OS is Juniper Networks' flagship network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, security appliances, and data center infrastructure worldwide. Deployed across telecommunications providers, ISPs, cloud service providers, financial institutions, and large enterprises, Junos po...

Learn more about Junos →

Junos by Juniper

Junos OS is Juniper Networks' flagship network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, security appliances, and data center infrastructure worldwide. Deployed across telecommunications providers, ISPs, cloud service providers, financial institutions, and large enterprises, Junos po...

Learn more about Junos →

Junos by Juniper

Junos OS is Juniper Networks' flagship network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, security appliances, and data center infrastructure worldwide. Deployed across telecommunications providers, ISPs, cloud service providers, financial institutions, and large enterprises, Junos po...

Learn more about Junos →

Junos by Juniper

Junos OS is Juniper Networks' flagship network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, security appliances, and data center infrastructure worldwide. Deployed across telecommunications providers, ISPs, cloud service providers, financial institutions, and large enterprises, Junos po...

Learn more about Junos →

Junos by Juniper

Junos OS is Juniper Networks' flagship network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, security appliances, and data center infrastructure worldwide. Deployed across telecommunications providers, ISPs, cloud service providers, financial institutions, and large enterprises, Junos po...

Learn more about Junos →

Junos by Juniper

Junos OS is Juniper Networks' flagship network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, security appliances, and data center infrastructure worldwide. Deployed across telecommunications providers, ISPs, cloud service providers, financial institutions, and large enterprises, Junos po...

Learn more about Junos →

Junos by Juniper

Junos OS is Juniper Networks' flagship network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, security appliances, and data center infrastructure worldwide. Deployed across telecommunications providers, ISPs, cloud service providers, financial institutions, and large enterprises, Junos po...

Learn more about Junos →

Junos by Juniper

Junos OS is Juniper Networks' flagship network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, security appliances, and data center infrastructure worldwide. Deployed across telecommunications providers, ISPs, cloud service providers, financial institutions, and large enterprises, Junos po...

Learn more about Junos →

Junos by Juniper

Junos OS is Juniper Networks' flagship network operating system running on enterprise routers, switches, security appliances, and data center infrastructure worldwide. Deployed across telecommunications providers, ISPs, cloud service providers, financial institutions, and large enterprises, Junos po...

Learn more about Junos →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Sustained denial of service affecting network availability, potentially disrupting critical services and causing extended downtime.

🟠

Likely Case

Intermittent service disruptions and performance degradation as the MS-MPC/MS-MIC components reset repeatedly.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact with proper network segmentation and traffic filtering in place.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH - Attackers can send malicious packets directly to vulnerable interfaces from the internet.
🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Internal attackers or compromised systems could exploit this vulnerability.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No
Weaponized: UNKNOWN
Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes
Complexity: LOW

Exploitation requires sending specific packets but does not require authentication.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Upgrade to fixed versions: 17.4R3-S5, 18.2R3-S8, 19.1R3-S5, 19.4R2-S5, 20.2R2-S3, 20.3R2-S1, 20.4R1-S1, or later versions as specified in JSA11216

Vendor Advisory: https://kb.juniper.net/JSA11216

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Review JSA11216 advisory. 2. Identify affected devices. 3. Download appropriate fixed version from Juniper support. 4. Schedule maintenance window. 5. Backup configuration. 6. Upgrade Junos OS to fixed version. 7. Verify functionality post-upgrade.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Traffic Filtering

all

Implement access control lists or firewall rules to filter potentially malicious packets.

set firewall family inet filter BLOCK-MALICIOUS term 1 from source-address 0.0.0.0/0
set firewall family inet filter BLOCK-MALICIOUS term 1 then discard
set interfaces interface-name unit 0 family inet filter input BLOCK-MALICIOUS

🧯 If You Can't Patch

  • Implement strict network segmentation to isolate vulnerable devices
  • Deploy intrusion prevention systems to detect and block malicious packets

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check Junos OS version with 'show version' and compare against affected versions list.

Check Version:

show version | match Junos

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify Junos OS version is updated to fixed version with 'show version' command.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

  • MS-MPC/MS-MIC reset messages
  • Unexpected service restarts
  • Increased error rates in system logs

Network Indicators:

  • Unusual packet patterns targeting MX Series routers
  • Increased traffic to management interfaces

SIEM Query:

source="juniper-firewall" AND ("MS-MPC reset" OR "MS-MIC reset" OR "DoS attack")

🔗 References

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