CVE-2026-21908

CVE-2026-21908 is a high-severity vulnerability in Juniper Junos with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.1. 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-416.

Key facts

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.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-21908?
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.
How severe is CVE-2026-21908?
CVE-2026-21908 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.1, rated high severity. It is exploitable over an adjacent network with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2026-21908 being actively exploited?
It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (21st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2026-21908?
CVE-2026-21908 primarily affects Juniper Junos. In total, 51 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2026-21908?
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.
Does CVE-2026-21908 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
Yes. CVE-2026-21908 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2026-2690.
When was CVE-2026-21908 published?
CVE-2026-21908 was published on 2026-01-15 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (51)

More vulnerabilities in Juniper Junos

All CVEs affecting Juniper Junos →

Other CWE-416 (Use After Free) vulnerabilities

Browse all CWE-416 (Use After Free) vulnerabilities →