CVE-2022-22207

7.5 HIGH

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerability in Juniper's AFT manager process that allows unauthenticated attackers to cause a kernel crash and denial of service by intensively polling AF interface statistics. The vulnerability affects Juniper Junos OS on MX Series routers running specific versions. Attackers can create sustained DoS conditions by repeatedly exploiting this flaw.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:
  • Juniper Networks Junos OS on MX Series routers
Versions: 20.1 versions later than 20.1R1; 20.2 versions prior to 20.2R3-S5; 20.3 versions prior to 20.3R3-S4; 20.4 versions prior to 20.4R3; 21.1 versions prior to 21.1R2; 21.2 versions prior to 21.2R2
Operating Systems: Junos OS
Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes
Notes: Only affects systems with Abstracted Fabric (AF) interfaces configured and AFT manager process running.

📦 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 →

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 all network traffic through vulnerable MX Series routers, requiring physical reboot to restore functionality.

🟠

Likely Case

Intermittent kernel crashes causing network outages and service disruption until systems are manually restarted.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact with proper network segmentation and monitoring, allowing quick detection and response to DoS attempts.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH - Unauthenticated network attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely without any credentials.
🏢 Internal Only: HIGH - Even internal attackers or compromised internal systems can trigger the DoS condition.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No
Weaponized: UNKNOWN
Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes
Complexity: LOW - Attack involves simple network polling of interface statistics

Exploitation requires network access to the vulnerable system but no authentication or special privileges.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 20.2R3-S5, 20.3R3-S4, 20.4R3, 21.1R2, 21.2R2 or later

Vendor Advisory: https://kb.juniper.net/JSA69711

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Download appropriate Junos OS version from Juniper support portal. 2. Backup current configuration. 3. Install update using 'request system software add' command. 4. Reboot system to activate new version.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable AF interface statistics polling

all

Prevent external systems from polling AF interface statistics to mitigate exploitation

set system services disable-aft-stats-polling

Implement network access controls

all

Restrict access to AFT manager service using firewall rules or ACLs

set firewall family inet filter BLOCK-AFT term 1 from source-address 0.0.0.0/0
set firewall family inet filter BLOCK-AFT term 1 then discard

🧯 If You Can't Patch

  • Implement strict network segmentation to isolate vulnerable MX Series routers from untrusted networks
  • Deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for abnormal polling patterns targeting AF interfaces

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Run 'show version' command and check if Junos version falls within affected ranges with AF interfaces configured

Check Version:

show version | match Junos

Verify Fix Applied:

After patching, verify version with 'show version' and test AF interface functionality remains operational

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

  • Kernel panic messages in system logs
  • AFT manager process crashes
  • High frequency of AF interface statistic queries

Network Indicators:

  • Unusual polling traffic to port 830 (NETCONF) or AFT service ports
  • Sudden loss of connectivity to MX router management interface

SIEM Query:

source="junos-logs" AND ("kernel panic" OR "aftmand crashed" OR "AF interface statistics flood")

🔗 References

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