Understanding the Operational Environment for Junos OS in FIPS Mode
EX or QFX Series switches running the Junos operating system (Junos OS) in FIPS mode forms a special type of hardware and software operational environment that is different from the environment of a switch in non-FIPS mode:
Hardware Environment for Junos OS in FIPS Mode
Junos OS in FIPS mode establishes a cryptographic boundary in the switch that no critical security parameters (CSPs) can cross using plain text. Each hardware component of the switch that requires a cryptographic boundary for FIPS 140-2 compliance is a separate cryptographic module.
For more information about the cryptographic boundary on your switch, see Understanding Junos OS in FIPS Mode.
Communications involving CSPs between these secure environments must take place using encryption.
Cryptographic methods are not a substitute for physical security. The hardware must be located in a secure physical environment. Users of all types must not reveal keys or passwords, or allow written records or notes to be seen by unauthorized personnel.
Software Environment for Junos OS in FIPS Mode
An EX or QFX Series switches running Junos OS in FIPS mode forms a special type of non-modifiable operational environment. To achieve this environment on the switch, the system prevents the execution of any binary file that was not part of the certified Junos OS distribution. When a switch is in FIPS mode, it can run only Junos OS.
FIPS mode on EX or QFX Series switches are available starting in Junos OS Release 20.2R1-S1. The Junos OS in FIPS mode software environment is established after the Crypto Officer successfully enables FIPS mode on EX and QFX Series switches. The Junos OS Release 20.2R1-S1 image that includes FIPS package is available on the Juniper Networks website and can be installed on EX and QFX Series switches. See Downloading Software Packages from Juniper Networks for more information on image names.
For FIPS 140-2 compliance, we recommend deleting all user-created files and data from (zeroizing) the system immediately after enabling FIPS mode.
Enabling FIPS mode disables many of the usual Junos OS protocols and services. In particular, you cannot configure the following services in Junos OS in FIPS mode:
finger
ftp
rlogin
telnet
tftp
xnm-clear-text
Attempts to configure these services, or load configurations with these services configured, result in a configuration syntax error. You can use only SSHv2 as a remote access service.
All passwords established for users after upgrading to Junos OS in FIPS mode must conform to Junos OS in FIPS mode specifications. Passwords must be between 10 and 20 characters in length and require the use of at least three of the five defined character sets (uppercase and lowercase letters, digits, punctuation marks, and keyboard characters, such as % and &, not included in the other four categories). Attempts to configure passwords that do not conform to these rules result in an error. All passwords and keys used to authenticate peers must be at least 10 characters in length, and in some cases the length must match the digest size.
Do not attach the switch to a network until you, the Crypto Officer, complete the configuration from the local console connection.
Critical Security Parameters
Critical security parameters (CSPs) are security-related information such as cryptographic keys and passwords that can compromise the security of the cryptographic module or the security of the information protected by the module if they are disclosed or modified.
Zeroization of the system erases all traces of CSPs in preparation for operating the switch or Routing Engine as a cryptographic module.
Table 1 lists CSPs on switches running Junos OS.
CSP |
Description |
Zeroization Method |
Use |
|---|---|---|---|
SSHv2 private host key |
ECDSA / RSA key used to identify the host, generated the first time SSH is configured. |
Zeroize command. |
Used to identify the host. |
SSHv2 session key |
Session key used with SSHv2. and as a Diffie-Hellman private key. Encryption: 3DES, AES-128, AES-192, and AES-256. MACs: HMAC-SHA-1, HMAC-SHA-2-256, and HMAC-SHA2-512. Key exchange: ECDH-sha2-nistp256, ECDH-sha2-nistp384, and ECDH-sha2-nistp521. |
Power cycle and terminate session. |
Symmetric key used to encrypt data between host and client. |
User authentication key |
Hash of the user’s password: SHA-256, SHA-512. |
Zeroize command. |
Used to authenticate a user to the cryptographic module. |
Crypto Officer authentication key |
Hash of the Crypto Officer’s password: SHA-256, SHA-512. |
Zeroize command. |
Used to authenticate the Crypto Officer to the cryptographic module. |
HMAC DRBG seed |
Seed for deterministic randon bit generator (DRBG). |
Seed is not stored by the cryptographic module. |
Used for seeding DRBG. |
HMAC DRBG V value |
The value (V) of output block length (outlen) in bits, which is updated each time another outlen bits of output are produced. |
Power cycle. |
A critical value of the internal state of DRBG. |
HMAC DRBG key value |
The current value of the outlen-bit key, which is updated at least once each time that the DRBG mechanism generates pseudorandom bits. |
Power cycle. |
A critical value of the internal state of DRBG. |
NDRNG entropy |
Used as entropy input string to the HMAC DRBG. |
Power cycle. |
A critical value of the internal state of DRBG. |
In Junos OS in FIPS mode, all CSPs must enter and leave the cryptographic module in encrypted form. Any CSP encrypted with a non-approved algorithm is considered plain text by FIPS. .
For FIPS compliance, configure the switch over SSH connections because they are encrypted connections.
Local passwords are hashed with the secure hash algorithm SHA-256, or SHA-512. Password recovery is not possible in Junos OS in FIPS mode. Junos OS in FIPS mode cannot boot into single-user mode without the correct root password.