NULL pointer dereference in Juniper Networks Junos OS
CVE-2026-21901
A NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerability in the management daemon (mgd) of Juniper Networks Junos OS and Junos OS Evolved allows a local, high-privileged attacker setting or deactivating a specific SSH configuration parameter to create a Denial of Service (DoS). A local high-privileged user configuring or deactivating a specific 'system services ssh' configuration parameter can exploit a null pointer dereference in one of the functions used by SSH. The function attempts to dereference a null pointer when accessing certain configuration data, resulting in an mgd process crash and restart. Continued execution of these configuration commands will create a sustained Denial of Service (DoS) condition. This issue affects: Junos OS: * from 22.3 before 22.3R3-S5; * from 22.4 before 22.4R3-S10; * from 23.2 before 23.2R2-S7; * from 23.4 before 23.4R2-S8. This issue does not affect Junos OS before 22.3R1. Junos OS Evolved: * from 22.3R1-EVO before 23.2R2-S7-EVO; * from 23.4 before 23.4R2-S8-EVO. This issue does not affect Junos OS Evolved before 22.3R1-EVO.
EPSS: 0.001 (2.0th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.
CVSS v3 metric
CVSS v3 base score 4.4 (Medium). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H.
Affected products
- Juniper Networks Junos Os — versions 22.3, 22.4, 23.2
- Juniper Networks Junos Os Evolved — versions 23.2, 23.4, 0
Weakness classification (CWE)
References
- sirt@juniper.net (third-party-advisory)
- sirt@juniper.net (vendor-advisory)
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2026-21901?
- CVE-2026-21901 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Juniper Networks Junos OS, classified under NULL Pointer Dereference. CVSS score: 4.4/10. Published 2026-07-09.
- How severe is CVE-2026-21901?
- Medium severity. CVSS v3 base score is 4.4 out of 10.