CVE-2020-1615: The factory configuration for vMX installations, as shipped, includes default credentials for the root account. Without proper modification of these d...

Description

The factory configuration for vMX installations, as shipped, includes default credentials for the root account. Without proper modification of these default credentials by the administrator, an attacker could exploit these credentials and access the vMX instance without authorization. This issue affects Juniper Networks Junos OS: 17.1 versions prior to 17.1R2-S11, 17.1R3-S2 on vMX; 17.2 versions prior to 17.2R3-S3 on vMX; 17.3 versions prior to 17.3R2-S5, 17.3R3-S7 on vMX; 17.4 versions prior to 17.4R2-S9, 17.4R3 on vMX; 18.1 versions prior to 18.1R3-S9 on vMX; 18.2 versions prior to 18.2R2-S7, 18.2R3-S3 on vMX; 18.2X75 versions prior to 18.2X75-D420, 18.2X75-D60 on vMX; 18.3 versions prior to 18.3R1-S7, 18.3R2-S3, 18.3R3-S1 on vMX; 18.4 versions prior to 18.4R1-S5, 18.4R2-S3, 18.4R3 on vMX; 19.1 versions prior to 19.1R1-S4, 19.1R2, 19.1R3 on vMX; 19.2 versions prior to 19.2R1-S3, 19.2R2 on vMX; 19.3 versions prior to 19.3R1-S1, 19.3R2 on vMX.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

1.73%

74.7th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Juniper	Junos	17.1
Juniper	Junos	17.2
Juniper	Junos	17.3
Juniper	Junos	17.4
Juniper	Junos	18.1
Juniper	Junos	18.2
Juniper	Junos	18.2x75
Juniper	Junos	18.2x75-d10
Juniper	Junos	18.3
Juniper	Junos	18.4
Juniper	Junos	19.1
Juniper	Junos	19.2
Juniper	Junos	19.3

References

https://kb.juniper.net/JSA10998Vendor Advisory
https://kb.juniper.net/JSA10998Vendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: Apr 8, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-1615?

The factory configuration for vMX installations, as shipped, includes default credentials for the root account. Without proper modification of these default credentials by the administrator, an attacker could exploit these credentials and access the vMX instance without authorization. This issue affects Juniper Networks Junos OS: 17.1 versions prior to 17.1R2-S11, 17.1R3-S2 on vMX; 17.2 versions prior to 17.2R3-S3 on vMX; 17.3 versions prior to 17.3R2-S5, 17.3R3-S7 on vMX; 17.4 versions prior to 17.4R2-S9, 17.4R3 on vMX; 18.1 versions prior to 18.1R3-S9 on vMX; 18.2 versions prior to 18.2R2-S7, 18.2R3-S3 on vMX; 18.2X75 versions prior to 18.2X75-D420, 18.2X75-D60 on vMX; 18.3 versions prior to 18.3R1-S7, 18.3R2-S3, 18.3R3-S1 on vMX; 18.4 versions prior to 18.4R1-S5, 18.4R2-S3, 18.4R3 on vMX; 19.1 versions prior to 19.1R1-S4, 19.1R2, 19.1R3 on vMX; 19.2 versions prior to 19.2R1-S3, 19.2R2 on vMX; 19.3 versions prior to 19.3R1-S1, 19.3R2 on vMX.

How severe is CVE-2020-1615?

CVE-2020-1615 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 1.73% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-1615?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.