# CVE-2026-101978: Juniper Junos OS Evolved command injection in bootzd

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-101978-an-os-command-injection-vulnerability-in-the-bootzd-zero-touch  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-14. Updated: 2026-10-16  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-101978 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.8 · Published 2026-10-14

Juniper Junos OS Evolved on PTX Series routers includes a zero-touch provisioning daemon (bootzd) that is vulnerable to command injection. An unauthenticated attacker on the management network can exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges, potentially taking complete control of the device and disrupting network operations.

Technologies: [Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolved](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/junos-os-evolved). Vendors: [Juniper Networks](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/juniper-networks).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-101978 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-101978 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-101978?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.8, published 14 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolved PTX Series.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-101978?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-101978 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-101978?** Check whether you run Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolved at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

The bootzd daemon in Juniper Junos OS Evolved on PTX Series is vulnerable to OS command injection through a crafted gRPC response. An unauthenticated attacker with network access to the management LAN can send a malicious gRPC message that causes the daemon to execute arbitrary commands as root. No user interaction or additional authentication is required.

## Affected products

- Juniper Networks Junos OS Evolved PTX Series

## Timeline

- 2026-10-14: disclosed

## References

- [https://supportportal.juniper.net/JSA112250](https://supportportal.juniper.net/JSA112250)

## Related threats

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- [Juniper Junos OS routing protocol daemon crash in ISO-VPN](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-101952-an-improper-validation-of-consistency-within-input-vulnerability)
- [Juniper Networks Junos OS stack buffer overflow in BGP routing daemon](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-102178-a-stack-based-buffer-overflow-vulnerability-in-the-bgp-routing)
- [Juniper Junos OS heap buffer overflow in sdxd daemon](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-102175-a-heap-based-buffer-overflow-vulnerability-in-the-sdxd-service)