CVE-2021-0230

CVE-2021-0230 is a high-severity vulnerability in Juniper Junos with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-401.

Key facts

Description

On Juniper Networks SRX Series devices with link aggregation (lag) configured, executing any operation that fetches Aggregated Ethernet (AE) interface statistics, including but not limited to SNMP GET requests, causes a slow kernel memory leak. If all the available memory is consumed, the traffic will be impacted and a reboot might be required. The following log can be seen if this issue happens. /kernel: rt_pfe_veto: Memory over consumed. Op 1 err 12, rtsm_id 0:-1, msg type 72 /kernel: rt_pfe_veto: free kmem_map memory = (20770816) curproc = kmd An administrator can use the following CLI command to monitor the status of memory consumption (ifstat bucket): user@device > show system virtual-memory no-forwarding | match ifstat Type InUse MemUse HighUse Limit Requests Limit Limit Size(s) ifstat 2588977 162708K - 19633958 <<<< user@device > show system virtual-memory no-forwarding | match ifstat Type InUse MemUse HighUse Limit Requests Limit Limit Size(s) ifstat 3021629 189749K - 22914415 <<<< This issue affects Juniper Networks Junos OS on SRX Series: 17.1 versions 17.1R3 and above prior to 17.3R3-S11; 17.4 versions prior to 17.4R3-S5; 18.2 versions prior to 18.2R3-S7, 18.2R3-S8; 18.3 versions prior to 18.3R3-S4; 18.4 versions prior to 18.4R2-S7, 18.4R3-S6; 19.1 versions prior to 19.1R3-S4; 19.2 versions prior to 19.2R1-S6; 19.3 versions prior to 19.3R3-S1; 19.4 versions prior to 19.4R3-S1; 20.1 versions prior to 20.1R2, 20.1R3; 20.2 versions prior to 20.2R2-S2, 20.2R3; 20.3 versions prior to 20.3R1-S2, 20.3R2. This issue does not affect Juniper Networks Junos OS prior to 17.1R3.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-0230?
On Juniper Networks SRX Series devices with link aggregation (lag) configured, executing any operation that fetches Aggregated Ethernet (AE) interface statistics, including but not limited to SNMP GET requests, causes a slow kernel memory leak. If all the available memory is consumed, the traffic will be impacted and a reboot might be required. The following log can be seen if this issue happens. /kernel: rt_pfe_veto: Memory over consumed. Op 1 err 12, rtsm_id 0:-1, msg type 72 /kernel: rt_pfe_veto: free kmem_map memory = (20770816) curproc = kmd An administrator can use the following CLI command to monitor the status of memory consumption (ifstat bucket): user@device > show system virtual-memory no-forwarding | match ifstat Type InUse MemUse HighUse Limit Requests Limit Limit Size(s) ifstat 2588977 162708K - 19633958 <<<< user@device > show system virtual-memory no-forwarding | match ifstat Type InUse MemUse HighUse Limit Requests Limit Limit Size(s) ifstat 3021629 189749K - 22914415 <<<< This issue affects Juniper Networks Junos OS on SRX Series: 17.1 versions 17.1R3 and above prior to 17.3R3-S11; 17.4 versions prior to 17.4R3-S5; 18.2 versions prior to 18.2R3-S7, 18.2R3-S8; 18.3 versions prior to 18.3R3-S4; 18.4 versions prior to 18.4R2-S7, 18.4R3-S6; 19.1 versions prior to 19.1R3-S4; 19.2 versions prior to 19.2R1-S6; 19.3 versions prior to 19.3R3-S1; 19.4 versions prior to 19.4R3-S1; 20.1 versions prior to 20.1R2, 20.1R3; 20.2 versions prior to 20.2R2-S2, 20.2R3; 20.3 versions prior to 20.3R1-S2, 20.3R2. This issue does not affect Juniper Networks Junos OS prior to 17.1R3.
How severe is CVE-2021-0230?
CVE-2021-0230 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-0230 being actively exploited?
It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (57th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-0230?
CVE-2021-0230 primarily affects Juniper Junos. In total, 182 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-0230?
Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2021-0230 published?
CVE-2021-0230 was published on 2021-04-22 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (182)

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