CVE-2023-28973 Junos OS Evolved: The 'sysmanctl' shell command allows a local user to gain access to some administrative actions
A local authenticated user can execute administrative commands via sysmanctl, potentially restarting daemons or shutting down nodes, impacting system integrity and availability.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2023-28973?
CVE-2023-28973 is a high-severity missing authorization vulnerability in Juniper Junos Os Evolved, published on 17 Apr 2023. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
An Improper Authorization vulnerability in the 'sysmanctl' shell command of Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolved allows a local, authenticated attacker to execute administrative commands that could impact the integrity of the system or system availability. Administrative functions such as daemon restarting, routing engine (RE) switchover, and node shutdown can all be performed through exploitation of the 'sysmanctl' command. Access to the 'sysmanctl' command is only available from the Junos shell. Neither direct nor indirect access to 'sysmanctl' is available from the Junos CLI. This issue affects Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolved: All versions prior to 20.4R3-S5-EVO; 21.2 versions prior to 21.2R3-EVO; 21.3 versions prior to 21.3R2-EVO; 21.4 versions prior to 21.4R1-S2-EVO, 21.4R2-EVO.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-28973?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Juniper Junos Os Evolved.
How do I fix CVE-2023-28973?
No fix has been published for CVE-2023-28973 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade, and check permissions on every request on the server, not only in the interface. More about Missing authorization.
Is CVE-2023-28973 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-28973 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Juniper Junos Os Evolved
- CVE-2026-21902 Junos OS Evolved: PTX Series: A vulnerability allows a unauthenticated, network-based attacker to execute code as root
- CVE-2023-28983 Junos OS Evolved: Shell Injection vulnerability in the gNOI server
- CVE-2025-21599 Denial of service in Junos OS Evolved
- CVE-2024-47502 Junos OS Evolved: TCP session state is not always cleared on the Routing Engine leading to DoS
- CVE-2024-39531 Junos OS Evolved: ACX 7000 Series: Protocol specific DDoS configuration affects other protocols
Sources
Also known as GHSA-qxqf-752w-278r.