CVE-2023-22394Network attack vector

SIP service interruption via reference-count memory leak

Published Jan 12, 2023 · Updated Apr 7, 2025

Improper reference-count handling in Junos OS on affected SRX and MX Series platforms allows remote attackers to interrupt SIP services. The SIP ALG mishandles an unexpected data type during SIP-call processing; Juniper identifies incorrect reference-count updating but does not disclose the retained object or code path. SIP ALG must be enabled, and MX Series exposure requires an MS-MPC or MS-MIC card; exhaustion prevents additional SIP calls and applications from succeeding.

CVSS severity7.5
High
EPSS probability0.62%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper reference-count handling in Junos OS on affected SRX and MX Series platforms allows remote attackers to interrupt SIP services. The SIP ALG mishandles an unexpected data type during SIP-call processing; Juniper identifies incorrect reference-count updating but does not disclose the retained object or code path. SIP ALG must be enabled, and MX Series exposure requires an MS-MPC or MS-MIC card; exhaustion prevents additional SIP calls and applications from succeeding.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-22394
Published
Jan 12, 2023
Updated
Apr 7, 2025
Vendor
Juniper Networks
Product
Junos OS
Classifications
CWE-911, T1499.004
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 12, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 7, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

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

  1. Affected versionversion=19.4 <19.4R2-S8, 19.4R3-S10
  2. Affected versionversion=20.1R1 <20.1*
  3. Affected versionversion=20.2 <20.2R3-S6
  4. Affected versionversion=20.3 <20.3R3-S6
  5. Affected versionversion=20.4 <20.4R3-S5
  6. Affected versionversion=21.1 <21.1R3-S5
  7. Affected versionversion=21.2 <21.2R3-S1
  8. Affected versionversion=21.3 <21.3R3
  9. Affected versionversion=21.4 <21.4R2-S2, 21.4R3
  10. Affected versionversion=22.1 <22.1R1-S2, 22.1R2, 22.1R3-S1
  11. Affected versionversion=unspecified <19.3R3-S7

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Juniper Networks · Junos OSversion=19.4 <19.4R2-S8, 19.4R3-S10; version=20.1R1 <20.1*; version=20.2 <20.2R3-S6; version=20.3 <20.3R3-S6; version=20.4 <20.4R3-S5; version=21.1 <21.1R3-S5; version=21.2 <21.2R3-S1; version=21.3 <21.3R3; version=21.4 <21.4R2-S2, 21.4R3; version=22.1 <22.1R1-S2, 22.1R2, 22.1R3-S1; version=unspecified <19.3R3-S7

Published CVSS scores

7.5Juniper Networks, Inc.CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/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)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-911Improper Update of Reference Count
T1499.004Application or System Exploitation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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