CVE-2020-1640: An improper use of a validation framework when processing incoming genuine BGP packets within Juniper Networks RPD (routing protocols process) daemon ...

Description

An improper use of a validation framework when processing incoming genuine BGP packets within Juniper Networks RPD (routing protocols process) daemon allows an attacker to crash RPD thereby causing a Denial of Service (DoS) condition. This framework requires these packets to be passed. By continuously sending any of these types of formatted genuine packets, an attacker can repeatedly crash the RPD process causing a sustained Denial of Service. Authentication to the BGP peer is not required. This issue can be initiated or propagated through eBGP and iBGP and can impact devices in either modes of use as long as the devices are configured to support the compromised framework and a BGP path is activated or active. This issue affects: Juniper Networks Junos OS 16.1 versions 16.1R7-S6 and later versions prior to 16.1R7-S8; 17.3 versions 17.3R2-S5, 17.3R3-S6 and later versions prior to 17.3R3-S8; 17.4 versions 17.4R2-S7, 17.4R3 and later versions prior to 17.4R2-S11, 17.4R3-S2; 18.1 versions 18.1R3-S7 and later versions prior to 18.1R3-S10; 18.2 versions 18.2R2-S6, 18.2R3-S2 and later versions prior to 18.2R2-S7, 18.2R3-S5; 18.2X75 versions 18.2X75-D12, 18.2X75-D32, 18.2X75-D33, 18.2X75-D51, 18.2X75-D60, 18.2X75-D411, 18.2X75-D420 and later versions prior to 18.2X75-D32, 18.2X75-D33, 18.2X75-D420, 18.2X75-D52, 18.2X75-D60, 18.2X75-D65, 18.2X75-D70;(*1) 18.3 versions 18.3R1-S6, 18.3R2-S3, 18.3R3 and later versions prior to 18.3R2-S4, 18.3R3-S2; 18.4 versions 18.4R1-S5, 18.4R2-S4, 18.4R3 and later versions prior to 18.4R1-S7, 18.4R2-S5, 18.4R3-S3(*2); 19.1 versions 19.1R1-S3, 19.1R2 and later versions prior to 19.1R1-S5, 19.1R2-S2, 19.1R3-S2; 19.2 versions 19.2R1-S2, 19.2R2 and later versions prior to 19.2R1-S5, 19.2R2, 19.2R3; 19.3 versions prior to 19.3R2-S3, 19.3R3; 19.4 versions prior to 19.4R1-S2, 19.4R2, 19.4R3; 20.1 versions prior to 20.1R1-S1, 20.1R2. This issue does not affect Junos OS prior to 16.1R1. This issue affects IPv4 and IPv6 traffic.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.5/10

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

EPSS Probability

1.39%

68.8th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions	Update
Juniper	Junos	16.1	R7-S6
Juniper	Junos	17.3	R2-S5
Juniper	Junos	17.4	R2-S10
Juniper	Junos	18.1	R3-S7
Juniper	Junos	18.2	R2-S6
Juniper	Junos	18.2x75	D12
Juniper	Junos	18.3	R1-S6
Juniper	Junos	18.4	R1-S5
Juniper	Junos	19.1	R1-S3
Juniper	Junos	19.2	R1-S2
Juniper	Junos	19.3	—
Juniper	Junos	19.4	R1
Juniper	Junos	20.1	R1

References

https://kb.juniper.net/JSA11024Vendor Advisory
https://kb.juniper.net/JSA11024Vendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: Jul 17, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-1640?

An improper use of a validation framework when processing incoming genuine BGP packets within Juniper Networks RPD (routing protocols process) daemon allows an attacker to crash RPD thereby causing a Denial of Service (DoS) condition. This framework requires these packets to be passed. By continuously sending any of these types of formatted genuine packets, an attacker can repeatedly crash the RPD process causing a sustained Denial of Service. Authentication to the BGP peer is not required. This issue can be initiated or propagated through eBGP and iBGP and can impact devices in either modes of use as long as the devices are configured to support the compromised framework and a BGP path is activated or active. This issue affects: Juniper Networks Junos OS 16.1 versions 16.1R7-S6 and later versions prior to 16.1R7-S8; 17.3 versions 17.3R2-S5, 17.3R3-S6 and later versions prior to 17.3R3-S8; 17.4 versions 17.4R2-S7, 17.4R3 and later versions prior to 17.4R2-S11, 17.4R3-S2; 18.1 versions 18.1R3-S7 and later versions prior to 18.1R3-S10; 18.2 versions 18.2R2-S6, 18.2R3-S2 and later versions prior to 18.2R2-S7, 18.2R3-S5; 18.2X75 versions 18.2X75-D12, 18.2X75-D32, 18.2X75-D33, 18.2X75-D51, 18.2X75-D60, 18.2X75-D411, 18.2X75-D420 and later versions prior to 18.2X75-D32, 18.2X75-D33, 18.2X75-D420, 18.2X75-D52, 18.2X75-D60, 18.2X75-D65, 18.2X75-D70;(*1) 18.3 versions 18.3R1-S6, 18.3R2-S3, 18.3R3 and later versions prior to 18.3R2-S4, 18.3R3-S2; 18.4 versions 18.4R1-S5, 18.4R2-S4, 18.4R3 and later versions prior to 18.4R1-S7, 18.4R2-S5, 18.4R3-S3(*2); 19.1 versions 19.1R1-S3, 19.1R2 and later versions prior to 19.1R1-S5, 19.1R2-S2, 19.1R3-S2; 19.2 versions 19.2R1-S2, 19.2R2 and later versions prior to 19.2R1-S5, 19.2R2, 19.2R3; 19.3 versions prior to 19.3R2-S3, 19.3R3; 19.4 versions prior to 19.4R1-S2, 19.4R2, 19.4R3; 20.1 versions prior to 20.1R1-S1, 20.1R2. This issue does not affect Junos OS prior to 16.1R1. This issue affects IPv4 and IPv6 traffic.

How severe is CVE-2020-1640?

CVE-2020-1640 has a CVSS score of 7.5/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 1.39% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-1640?

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.