CVE-2023-28966

Junos OS Evolved: Local low-privileged user with shell access can execute CLI commands as root

HIGH
7.8
CVSS Score
Published: April 17, 2023 at 12:00 AM UTC
Updated: June 17, 2026 at 05:49 AM UTC
2 products affected across 2 vendorsJunos OS EvolvedJunos OS Evolved

Using Junos OS Evolved by Juniper Networks?

Get instant alerts when new vulnerabilities affect Junos OS Evolved - before attackers find them.

Real-time alertsTrack your software stackFree plan available
Severity
HIGH7.8
Exploit prediction
EPSS 0.2%
SSVC
No known exploit

Description

An Incorrect Default Permissions vulnerability in Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolved allows a low-privileged local attacker with shell access to modify existing files or execute commands as root. The issue is caused by improper file and directory permissions on certain system files, allowing an attacker with access to these files and folders to inject CLI commands as root. This issue affects Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolved: All versions prior to 20.4R3-S5-EVO; 21.2 versions prior to 21.2R3-EVO; 21.3 versions prior to 21.3R2-EVO.

Affected

Our own answer: ranges merged, affected separated from platform-only, with confidence and review flags.

v < 20.4R3-S5-EVO21.2 ≤ v < 21.2R3-EVO21.3 ≤ v < 21.3R2-EVO21.221.3
Affected range stops below 20.4R3-S5-EVO, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below 21.2R3-EVO, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below 21.3R2-EVO, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Remediation

No guide yet

No remediation guidance has been written for this CVE yet. What the record does show:

Patch and advisory references

SSVC — Action Prioritization

SSVCNo known exploitNot automatableTotal impact

SSVC signals action urgency (what to patch first), separate from CVSS which measures severity.

CVSS

7.8HIGHjuniper
Attack Vector
LOCAL
Complexity
LOW
Privileges
LOW
User Interaction
NONE
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality
HIGH
Integrity
HIGH
Availability
HIGH
Vector?

Quick Info

StatusMODIFIED
CWE
CWE-276

Get alerted

Stop reading CVE feeds looking for your own stack

Track the products you run and VulnTracker tells you when a new CVE affects them — with what is known about fixing it, and nothing about the rest.

Free plan, no card