{"cveID":"CVE-2023-36845","vendorProject":"Juniper","product":"Junos OS","vulnerabilityName":"Juniper Junos OS EX Series and SRX Series PHP External Variable Modification Vulnerability","dateAdded":"2023-11-13","shortDescription":"Juniper Junos OS on EX Series and SRX Series contains a PHP external variable modification vulnerability that allows an unauthenticated, network-based attacker to control an important environment variable. Using a crafted request, which sets the variable PHPRC, an attacker is able to modify the PHP execution environment allowing the injection und execution of code.","requiredAction":"Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.","dueDate":"2023-11-17","knownRansomwareCampaignUse":"Unknown","notes":"https://supportportal.juniper.net/s/article/2023-08-Out-of-Cycle-Security-Bulletin-Junos-OS-SRX-Series-and-EX-Series-Multiple-vulnerabilities-in-J-Web-can-be-combined-to-allow-a-preAuth-Remote-Code-Execution?language=en_US ;  https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-36845","cwes":["CWE-473"],"year":2023,"state":"mapped","stale_reasons":[],"mappings":[{"domain":"enterprise","cve":"CVE-2023-36845","technique":"T1190","technique_name_at_mapping":"Exploit Public-Facing Application","mapping_type":"exploitation_technique","capability_group":"other","comments":"This vulnerability is exploited through a PHP External Variable Modification flaw in the J-Web interface of Juniper Networks Junos OS, affecting EX Series switches and SRX Series firewalls. Attackers leverage this vulnerability to gain initial access by crafting a request that sets the PHPRC variable, thereby altering the PHP execution environment. This manipulation enables the injection and execution of arbitrary code. By exploiting the auto_prepend_file and allow_url_include PHP features, attackers can include a base64 encoded PHP payload using the data:// wrapper. This method allows them to execute code within a confined FreeBSD jail environment, with the potential to escalate privileges by stealing authentication tokens from a user logged into the J-Web application, ultimately enabling unauthorized SSH access with elevated privileges.","references":["https://www.greenbone.net/en/blog/tracking-news-juniper-junos-vulnerabilities/","https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/cisa-warns-of-actively-exploited-juniper-pre-auth-rce-exploit-chain/","https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/174865/Juniper-SRX-Firewall-EX-Switch-Remote-Code-Execution.html"],"status":"complete","source_file":"kev-07.28.2025_attack-16.1-enterprise.json","attack_version":"16.1","kev_snapshot":"07/28/2025"},{"domain":"enterprise","cve":"CVE-2023-36845","technique":"T1059","technique_name_at_mapping":"Command and Scripting Interpreter","mapping_type":"primary_impact","capability_group":"other","comments":"This vulnerability is exploited through a PHP External Variable Modification flaw in the J-Web interface of Juniper Networks Junos OS, affecting EX Series switches and SRX Series firewalls. Attackers leverage this vulnerability to gain initial access by crafting a request that sets the PHPRC variable, thereby altering the PHP execution environment. This manipulation enables the injection and execution of arbitrary code. By exploiting the auto_prepend_file and allow_url_include PHP features, attackers can include a base64 encoded PHP payload using the data:// wrapper. This method allows them to execute code within a confined FreeBSD jail environment, with the potential to escalate privileges by stealing authentication tokens from a user logged into the J-Web application, ultimately enabling unauthorized SSH access with elevated privileges.","references":["https://www.greenbone.net/en/blog/tracking-news-juniper-junos-vulnerabilities/","https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/cisa-warns-of-actively-exploited-juniper-pre-auth-rce-exploit-chain/","https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/174865/Juniper-SRX-Firewall-EX-Switch-Remote-Code-Execution.html"],"status":"complete","source_file":"kev-07.28.2025_attack-16.1-enterprise.json","attack_version":"16.1","kev_snapshot":"07/28/2025"}],"techniques":[{"id":"T1059","domains":["enterprise"],"in_current_bundle":true,"live":true,"name_now":"Command and Scripting Interpreter","name_at_mapping":"Command and Scripting Interpreter","renamed":false,"revoked_by":null,"mapping_types":["primary_impact"],"sigma_rule_count":95,"has_detection_strategy":true},{"id":"T1190","domains":["enterprise"],"in_current_bundle":true,"live":true,"name_now":"Exploit Public-Facing Application","name_at_mapping":"Exploit Public-Facing Application","renamed":false,"revoked_by":null,"mapping_types":["exploitation_technique"],"sigma_rule_count":149,"has_detection_strategy":true}],"mapping_types":["exploitation_technique","primary_impact"],"has_exploitation_technique":true,"mapping_attack_versions":["16.1"],"mapping_domains":["enterprise"],"sigma_coverage":"full","sigma_rules_tagged_cve":[],"added_after_mapping_snapshot":false,"_source":"kevmap","_built":"2026-08-23 05:47 UTC","_attack_version":"19.2"}