CVE-2021-0272

Junos OS: QFX10002-32Q, QFX10002-60C, QFX10002-72Q, QFX10008, QFX10016: In EVPN-VXLAN scenarios receipt of specific genuine packets by an adjacent attacker will cause a kernel memory leak in FPC.

Description

A kernel memory leak in QFX10002-32Q, QFX10002-60C, QFX10002-72Q, QFX10008, QFX10016 devices Flexible PIC Concentrators (FPCs) on Juniper Networks Junos OS allows an attacker to send genuine packets destined to the device to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) to the device. On QFX10002-32Q, QFX10002-60C, QFX10002-72Q devices the device will crash and restart. On QFX10008, QFX10016 devices, depending on the number of FPCs involved in an attack, one more more FPCs may crash and traffic through the device may be degraded in other ways, until the attack traffic stops. A reboot is required to restore service and clear the kernel memory. Continued receipt and processing of these genuine packets will create a sustained Denial of Service (DoS) condition. On QFX10008, QFX10016 devices, an indicator of compromise may be the existence of DCPFE core files. You can also monitor PFE memory utilization for incremental growth: user@qfx-RE:0% cprod -A fpc0 -c "show heap 0" | grep -i ke 0 3788a1b0 3221225048 2417120656 804104392 24 Kernel user@qfx-RE:0% cprod -A fpc0 -c "show heap 0" | grep -i ke 0 3788a1b0 3221225048 2332332200 888892848 27 Kernel This issue affects: Juniper Networks Junos OS on QFX10002-32Q, QFX10002-60C, QFX10002-72Q, QFX10008, QFX10016: 16.1 versions 16.1R1 and above prior to 17.3 versions prior to 17.3R3-S9; 17.4 versions prior to 17.4R3-S2; 18.1 versions prior to 18.1R3-S11; 18.2 versions prior to 18.2R3-S5; 18.3 versions prior to 18.3R3-S3; 18.4 versions prior to 18.4R2-S5, 18.4R3-S4; 19.1 versions prior to 19.1R3-S2; 19.2 versions prior to 19.2R3; 19.3 versions prior to 19.3R3; 19.4 versions prior to 19.4R3; 20.1 versions prior to 20.1R2. This issue does not affect releases prior to Junos OS 16.1R1. This issue does not affect EX Series devices. This issue does not affect Junos OS Evolved.

Remediation

Solution:

  • The following software releases have been updated to resolve this specific issue: 17.3R3-S9, 17.4R3-S2, 18.1R3-S11, 18.2R3-S5, 18.3R3-S3, 18.4R2-S5, 18.4R3-S4, 19.1R3-S2, 19.2R3, 19.3R3, 19.4R3, 20.1R2, 20.2R1, and all subsequent releases.

Workaround:

  • There are no known workarounds for this issue.

Category

6.5
CVSS
Severity: Medium
CVSS 3.1 •
CVSS 2.0 •
EPSS 0.07%
Vendor Advisory juniper.net Vendor Advisory juniper.net
Affected: Juniper Networks Junos OS
Published at:
Updated at:

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2021-0272?
CVE-2021-0272 has been scored as a medium severity vulnerability.
How to fix CVE-2021-0272?
To fix CVE-2021-0272: The following software releases have been updated to resolve this specific issue: 17.3R3-S9, 17.4R3-S2, 18.1R3-S11, 18.2R3-S5, 18.3R3-S3, 18.4R2-S5, 18.4R3-S4, 19.1R3-S2, 19.2R3, 19.3R3, 19.4R3, 20.1R2, 20.2R1, and all subsequent releases.
Is CVE-2021-0272 being actively exploited in the wild?
As for now, there are no information to confirm that CVE-2021-0272 is being actively exploited. According to its EPSS score, there is a ~0% probability that this vulnerability will be exploited by malicious actors in the next 30 days.
What software or system is affected by CVE-2021-0272?
CVE-2021-0272 affects Juniper Networks Junos OS.
This platform uses data from the NIST NVD, MITRE CVE, MITRE CWE, First.org and CISA KEV but is not endorsed or certified by these entities. CVE is a registred trademark of the MITRE Corporation and the authoritative source of CVE content is MITRE's CVE web site. CWE is a registred trademark of the MITRE Corporation and the authoritative source of CWE content is MITRE's CWE web site.
© 2025 Under My Watch. All Rights Reserved.