CVE-2020-1601 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Certain types of malformed Path Computation Element Protocol (PCEP) packets in Juniper Networks Junos OS can cause a Denial of Service (DoS) by crashing the pccd process.

Understanding CVE-2020-1601

This CVE focuses on a vulnerability in Juniper Networks Junos OS related to malformed PCEP packets.

What is CVE-2020-1601?

CVE-2020-1601 allows attackers to crash the pccd process in a Junos OS device, leading to DoS due to processing certain malformed PCEP packets.

The Impact of CVE-2020-1601

Attack Vector: Network
Attack Complexity: Low
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: None
Confidentiality & Integrity Impact: None
Availability Impact: Low
CVSS Base Score: 5.3 (Medium)

Technical Details of CVE-2020-1601

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Malformed PCEP packets can crash the pccd process in Junos OS, causing a DoS condition.

Affected Systems and Versions

Junos OS versions 15.1 to 18.4, excluding specific patched versions, are susceptible.
The SRX Series with Junos OS 15.1X49 is also affected.

Exploitation Mechanism

Certain malformed PCEP packets trigger the vulnerability, resulting in a DoS.

Mitigation and Prevention

Guidelines to address and prevent the CVE-2020-1601 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the recommended software updates promptly to the affected Junos OS versions.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Junos OS to the fixed versions and maintain a secure network configuration.

Patching and Updates

Update to the specific patched versions provided by Juniper Networks detailed in the solutions.