CVE-2020-1618

Physical root access via passwordless console login

Published Apr 8, 2020 · Updated Sep 17, 2024

Authentication bypass in Juniper Networks Junos OS on EX and QFX Series allows physically proximate attackers to log in as root without a password. Juniper has not published the defective code locus; in affected boot states, the console login path accepts root without validating a password. Access requires a physical console connection during the first reboot after request system zeroize, or briefly during the first post-upgrade reboot of a Virtual Chassis.

CVSS severity6.3
Medium
EPSS probability0.36%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Authentication bypass in Juniper Networks Junos OS on EX and QFX Series allows physically proximate attackers to log in as root without a password. Juniper has not published the defective code locus; in affected boot states, the console login path accepts root without validating a password. Access requires a physical console connection during the first reboot after request system zeroize, or briefly during the first post-upgrade reboot of a Virtual Chassis.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-1618
Published
Apr 8, 2020
Updated
Sep 17, 2024
Vendor
Juniper Networks
Product
Junos OS
Classifications
CWE-288, CWE-287
Attack vector
physical
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 8, 2020CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 17, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=14.1X53 <14.1X53-D53
  2. Affected versionversion=15.1 <15.1R7-S4
  3. Affected versionversion=15.1X53 <15.1X53-D593
  4. Affected versionversion=16.1 <16.1R7-S4
  5. Affected versionversion=17.1 <17.1R2-S11, 17.1R3-S1
  6. Affected versionversion=17.2 <17.2R3-S3
  7. Affected versionversion=17.3 <17.3R2-S5, 17.3R3-S6
  8. Affected versionversion=17.4 <17.4R2-S9, 17.4R3
  9. Affected versionversion=18.1 <18.1R3-S8
  10. Affected versionversion=18.2 <18.2R2
  11. Affected versionversion=18.3 <18.3R1-S7, 18.3R2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorphysical
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Juniper Networks · Junos OSversion=14.1X53 <14.1X53-D53; version=15.1 <15.1R7-S4; version=15.1X53 <15.1X53-D593; version=16.1 <16.1R7-S4; version=17.1 <17.1R2-S11, 17.1R3-S1; version=17.2 <17.2R3-S3; version=17.3 <17.3R2-S5, 17.3R3-S6; version=17.4 <17.4R2-S9, 17.4R3; version=18.1 <18.1R3-S8; version=18.2 <18.2R2; version=18.3 <18.3R1-S7, 18.3R2

Published CVSS scores

6.3Juniper NetworksCVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.9NISTAV:L/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
6.8NISTCVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorphysical
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-288Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel
CWE-287Improper Authentication

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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