CVE-2026-21901
A NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerability in the management daemon (mgd) of Juniper Networks Junos OS and Junos OS Evolved allows a local, high-privileged attacker setting or deactivating a specific SSH configuration parameter to create a Denial of Service (DoS). A local high-privileged user configuring or deactivating a specific 'system services ssh' configuration parameter can exploit a null pointer dereference in one of the functions used by SSH. The function attempts to dereference a null pointer when accessing certain configuration data, resulting in an mgd process crash and restart. Continued execution of these configuration commands will create a sustained Denial of Service (DoS) condition. This issue affects: Junos OS: * from 22.3 before 22.3R3-S5; * from 22.4 before 22.4R3-S10; * from 23.2 before 23.2R2-S7; * from 23.4 before 23.4R2-S8. This issue does not affect Junos OS before 22.3R1. Junos OS Evolved: * from 22.3R1-EVO before 23.2R2-S7-EVO; * from 23.4 before 23.4R2-S8-EVO. This issue does not affect Junos OS Evolved before 22.3R1-EVO.
Executive briefing
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Evidence confidence: Not assessed Evidence-derived, not an exploitability verdict
Severity & attack characteristics
CVSS vector:CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
No CVSS vector is currently available in the source record.
Technical explanation & impact
Technical root-cause details are not available in the current source record.
Assess the impact using the published CVSS metrics and the affected vendor component.
Affected products and versions
NVD has not supplied machine-readable vulnerable CPE product/version entries for this CVE. This is an information gap, not proof that no products are affected. Check the vendor advisory references below.
Remediation & validation
- Identify exposure by comparing the affected product and version ranges with your asset inventory, SBOM and externally exposed services.
- Review the linked vendor security advisory or patch notes. Upgrade to a vendor-confirmed fixed release; do not infer a fixed version from the CVE description.
- Until patched, consider restricting network access or disabling the affected feature where operationally safe. These are temporary controls, not a substitute for a vendor fix.
- Validate the remediation with a version check and vulnerability rescan, then retain change evidence.
No fixed version is displayed unless it is explicitly established by a vendor advisory. Follow the vendor's release notes for exact product and branch applicability.