If left unpatched, CVE-2026-21903 could lead to major system disruptions or data loss.
Status: Received on 15 Jan 2026, 21:16 UTC
Published on: 15 Jan 2026, 21:16 UTC
CVSS Release: version 3
sirt@juniper.net
Primary
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
CVE-2026-21903: A Stack-based Buffer Overflow vulnerability in the Packet Forwarding Engine (pfe) of Juniper Networks Junos OS allows a network-based attacker, authenticated with low privileges to cause a Denial-of-Service (DoS). Subscribing to telemetry sensors at scale causes all FPC connections to drop, resulting in an FPC crash and restart. The issue was not seen when YANG packages for the specific sensors were installed. This issue affects Junos OS: * all versions before 22.4R3-S7, * 23.2 version before 23.2R2-S4, * 23.4 versions before 23.4R2.
The exploitability of CVE-2026-21903 depends on two key factors: attack complexity (the level of effort required to execute an exploit) and privileges required (the access level an attacker needs).
CVE-2026-21903 presents an accessible attack vector with minimal effort required. Restricting access controls and implementing security updates are critical to reducing exploitation risks.
A lower complexity and fewer privilege requirements make exploitation easier. Security teams should evaluate these aspects to determine the urgency of mitigation strategies, such as patch management and access control policies.
Attack Complexity (AC) measures the difficulty in executing an exploit. A high AC means that specific conditions must be met, making an attack more challenging, while a low AC means the vulnerability can be exploited with minimal effort.
Privileges Required (PR) determine the level of system access necessary for an attack. Vulnerabilities requiring no privileges are more accessible to attackers, whereas high privilege requirements limit exploitation to authorized users with elevated access.
Above is the CVSS Sub-score Breakdown for CVE-2026-21903, illustrating how Base, Impact, and Exploitability factors combine to form the overall severity rating. A higher sub-score typically indicates a more severe or easier-to-exploit vulnerability.
Below is the Impact Analysis for CVE-2026-21903, showing how Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability might be affected if the vulnerability is exploited. Higher values usually signal greater potential damage.
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