Description
There is a command injection vulnerability in the underlying Central Communications service that could lead to unauthenticated remote code execution by sending specially crafted packets destined to the PAPI (Aruba's Access Point management protocol) UDP port (8211). Successful exploitation of this vulnerability results in the ability to execute arbitrary code as a privileged user on the underlying operating system.
EPSS Score:
1%
Comprehensive Technical Analysis of EUVD-2024-29351
1. Vulnerability Assessment and Severity Evaluation
The vulnerability described in EUVD-2024-29351 is a command injection flaw in the Central Communications service of Aruba's Access Point management protocol (PAPI). This vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote code execution by sending specially crafted packets to the PAPI UDP port (8211). The severity of this vulnerability is critical, as indicated by its CVSS base score of 9.8. The CVSS vector CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H highlights the following:
- Attack Vector (AV): Network (N) - The vulnerability is exploitable over the network.
- Attack Complexity (AC): Low (L) - The attack requires low complexity to exploit.
- Privileges Required (PR): None (N) - No privileges are required to exploit the vulnerability.
- User Interaction (UI): None (N) - No user interaction is required.
- Scope (S): Unchanged (U) - The vulnerability does not change the security scope.
- Confidentiality (C): High (H) - The vulnerability has a high impact on confidentiality.
- Integrity (I): High (H) - The vulnerability has a high impact on integrity.
- Availability (A): High (H) - The vulnerability has a high impact on availability.
2. Potential Attack Vectors and Exploitation Methods
The primary attack vector involves sending maliciously crafted UDP packets to the PAPI port (8211) on the affected Aruba Access Points. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by:
- Network Scanning: Identifying vulnerable devices on the network.
- Crafting Malicious Packets: Creating UDP packets designed to exploit the command injection flaw.
- Remote Code Execution: Executing arbitrary code with privileged access on the underlying operating system.
3. Affected Systems and Software Versions
The vulnerability affects the following versions of Aruba InstantOS and ArubaOS:
- InstantOS or ArubaOS (access points) 8.10.x.x: Versions 8.10.0.10 and below.
- InstantOS or ArubaOS (access points) 10.4.x.x: Versions 10.4.1.0 and below.
- InstantOS or ArubaOS (access points) 8.11.x.x: Versions 8.11.2.1 and below.
- InstantOS or ArubaOS (access points) 10.5.x.x: Versions 10.5.1.0 and below.
- InstantOS or ArubaOS (access points) 8.6.x.x: Versions 8.6.0.23 and below.
4. Recommended Mitigation Strategies
To mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability, organizations should:
- Patch Management: Apply the latest security patches and updates provided by Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) for the affected versions of Aruba InstantOS and ArubaOS.
- Network Segmentation: Implement network segmentation to isolate critical systems and reduce the attack surface.
- Firewall Configuration: Configure firewalls to restrict access to the PAPI UDP port (8211) to trusted sources only.
- Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Deploy IDS to monitor for suspicious network activity targeting the PAPI port.
- Regular Audits: Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify and address potential security gaps.
5. Impact on European Cybersecurity Landscape
The vulnerability poses a significant risk to organizations using Aruba Access Points, particularly in critical infrastructure sectors such as healthcare, finance, and government. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, and disruption of services, impacting the overall cybersecurity posture of the European Union.
6. Technical Details for Security Professionals
- Vulnerability Type: Command Injection
- Affected Protocol: PAPI (Aruba's Access Point management protocol)
- Affected Port: UDP port 8211
- Exploitation Method: Sending specially crafted UDP packets to the PAPI port
- Impact: Unauthenticated remote code execution with privileged access
- Mitigation: Apply patches, implement network segmentation, configure firewalls, deploy IDS, and conduct regular audits
Conclusion
EUVD-2024-29351 represents a critical vulnerability that requires immediate attention from organizations using Aruba Access Points. By understanding the technical details and implementing the recommended mitigation strategies, security professionals can effectively protect their networks and systems from potential exploitation. Regular monitoring and proactive security measures are essential to maintain a robust cybersecurity posture in the face of evolving threats.