CVE-2021-25141 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A security vulnerability has been identified in certain HPE and Aruba L2/L3 switch firmware, affecting a wide range of switch series. The vulnerability stems from a data processing error that could be exploited by an attacker with administrator privileges to cause a denial of service (DoS) on the switch management interface.

Understanding CVE-2021-25141

This section delves into the details of the CVE-2021-25141 vulnerability, its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2021-25141?

CVE-2021-25141 is a security flaw found in HPE and Aruba L2/L3 switch firmware that mishandles unexpected data types supplied by users, leading to a data processing error exploitable for a DoS attack.

The Impact of CVE-2021-25141

The vulnerability allows an attacker with administrator privileges to crash or reboot the switch management interface, potentially causing a local DoS on the affected switches.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-25141

In this section, we explore the specific technical details concerning the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw arises from improper handling of user-supplied data types, posing a risk of a DoS condition on the switch management interface.

Affected Systems and Versions

The CVE-2021-25141 vulnerability impacts various HPE and Aruba switch series, including Aruba 5400R zl2, 2930F, 2920, 2930M, 2530, 2540, 3800, 3500, 3810M, 8200 zl, 2620, 5400 zl, and 6200 yl. It affects firmware versions prior to specific release numbers.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker needs administrator privileges to supply unexpected data types to the switch's management interface, triggering the data processing error and subsequent DoS condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines essential steps to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2021-25141 and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to apply relevant security patches provided by HPE and Aruba to address the vulnerability promptly. Additionally, limiting access to administrative privileges can help reduce the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing a robust network security policy, regular security assessments, and user training on safe data handling practices can enhance overall security posture.

Patching and Updates

Regularly updating switch firmware to the latest patched versions from HPE and Aruba is critical to protecting systems against known vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-25141.