CVE-2026-21908: Juniper Networks Junos OS · Use After Free
Affects Juniper Networks Junos OSSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.1 High · fixed in 25.2R1-S2 : patch Juniper Networks Junos OS soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 12:55 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.3% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 23% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 25.2R1-S2, 24.4R2-S1, 24.2R2-S3 +7
CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 15 Jan 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Juniper NetworksJunos OS | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| Juniper NetworksJunos OS Evolved | Affected
| Fixed in
|
AI-suggested
To mitigate CVE-2026-21908, organizations should prioritize upgrading affected Junos OS and Junos OS Evolved devices to the fixed versions released by Juniper Networks (e.g., versions at or beyond 23.2R2-S5, 23.4R2-S6, 24.2R2-S3, 24.4R2-S1, 25.2R1-S2, and their Evolved equivalents). Until patches can be applied, consider the following specific mitigations: 1) Restrict network access to management and 802.1X authentication services to trusted, authenticated users only, minimizing exposure to network-adjacent attackers. 2) Monitor and alert on unusual port flapping or CoA events that could indicate exploitation attempts. 3) Implement strict network segmentation to isolate critical Juniper devices and limit lateral movement if compromise occurs. 4) Employ network access control policies to detect and block anomalous authentication or port bounce behavior. 5) Regularly audit device configurations to ensure 802.1X is enabled only where necessary and properly secured. 6) Use Juniper’s security advisories and tools to verify device firmware versions and compliance. These targeted steps, combined with timely patching, will reduce the risk of exploitation and limit potential damage.
Description
A Use After Free vulnerability was identified in the 802.1X authentication daemon (dot1xd) of Juniper Networks Junos OS and Junos OS Evolved that could allow an authenticated, network-adjacent attacker flapping a port to crash the dot1xd process, leading to a Denial of Service (DoS), or potentially execute arbitrary code within the context of the process running as root. The issue is specific to the processing of a change in authorization (CoA) when a port bounce occurs. A pointer is freed but was then referenced later in the same code path. Successful exploitation is outside the attacker's direct control due to the specific timing of the two events required to execute the vulnerable code path. This issue affects systems with 802.1X authentication port-based network access control (PNAC) enabled. This issue affects: Junos OS: * from 23.2R2-S1 before 23.2R2-S5, * from 23.4R2 before 23.4R2-S6, * from 24.2 before 24.2R2-S3, * from 24.4 before 24.4R2-S1, * from 25.2 before 25.2R1-S2, 25.2R2; Junos OS Evolved: * from 23.2R2-S1 before 23.2R2-S5-EVO, * from 23.4R2 before 23.4R2-S6-EVO, * from 24.2 before 24.2R2-S3-EVO, * from 24.4 before 24.4R2-S1-EVO, * from 25.2 before 25.2R1-S2-EVO, 25.2R2-EVO.