High [CVE-2026-21916] UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following vulnerability in the CLI of Juniper Networks Junos OS allows a local, authenticated attacker with low privileges to escalate their privileges to root which will lead to a complete compromise of the system
This high-severity Juniper Networks advisory covers CVE-2026-21916 affecting Junos OS, Junos.
Android app · Google Play
Monitor future Juniper Networks CVEs from your phone.
Choose a whole vendor or a precise platform, then receive matching security advisories by phone notification, email, or both. Coverage follows 32 official vendor sources and 160+ reviewed platform categories.
Summary
A UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following vulnerability in the CLI of Juniper Networks Junos OS allows a local, authenticated attacker with low privileges to escalate their privileges to root which will lead to a complete compromise of the system.
When after a user has performed a specific 'file link...' CLI operation, another user commits (unrelated configuration changes), the first user can login as root.
This issue affects Junos OS:
- all versions before 23.2R2-S7,
- 23.4 versions before 23.4R2-S6,
This issue does not affect versions 25.4R1 or later.
- * all versions before 23
Official advisory · high-confidence parse· fetched 2 months ago·verify at source
- 23.2R2-S7
- 23.4R2-S6
- 24.2R2-S3
- 24.4R2-S2
- 25.2R2
Official advisory · high-confidence parse· fetched 2 months ago·verify at source
Mitigation
Upgrade to a fixed release: 23.2R2-S7, 23.4R2-S6, 24.2R2-S3, 24.4R2-S2, 25.2R2. That is the remediation for this advisory.
The vendor advisory may list additional interim mitigations or workarounds not captured here — review it before change work.
Official advisory · high-confidence parse· fetched 2 months ago·verify at source
Discussion(0)
No comments yet. Share field notes, upgrade gotchas, or questions — verify against the vendor advisory before acting on community advice.
Sign in to join the discussion.