CVE-2022-23681 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Multiple vulnerabilities exist in the AOS-CX command line interface that could lead to authenticated command injection. A successful exploit could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary commands as root on the underlying operating system leading to complete switch compromise in ArubaOS-CX version(s) AOS-CX 10.09.xxxx: 10.09.1030 and below, AOS-CX 10.08.xxxx: 10.08.1030 and below, AOS-CX 10.06.xxxx: 10.06.0180 and below. Aruba has released upgrades for ArubaOS-CX Switch Devices to address these security vulnerabilities.

Understanding CVE-2022-23681

This CVE describes the presence of multiple vulnerabilities in the AOS-CX command line interface that could be exploited to achieve authenticated command injection, leading to severe consequences.

What is CVE-2022-23681?

The CVE-2022-23681 vulnerability refers to the presence of multiple security flaws in the AOS-CX command line interface of various Aruba switch series. These flaws could be exploited by authenticated users to inject commands, potentially resulting in the execution of arbitrary commands with root privileges on the affected system, ultimately compromising the entire switch.

The Impact of CVE-2022-23681

The impact of CVE-2022-23681 is significant as successful exploitation could lead to a complete compromise of the affected switches, allowing attackers to execute malicious commands with elevated privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-23681

In this section, we delve into the technical aspects of the CVE, including a description of the vulnerability, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves the AOS-CX command line interface, where authenticated users could inject commands. This could potentially lead to the execution of unauthorized commands with root privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts various Aruba switch series including Aruba CX 6200F, 6300, 6400, 8325, 8400, and CX 8360, as well as ArubaOS-CX Switches running specific versions such as AOS-CX 10.09.xxxx: 10.09.1030 and below.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with authenticated access can exploit the vulnerability by injecting malicious commands via the AOS-CX command line interface, enabling the execution of unauthorized commands with root permissions.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2022-23681, immediate steps should be taken to secure the affected systems followed by long-term security practices and regular patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediately apply the upgrades released by Aruba to mitigate the vulnerabilities and prevent potential exploitation of the AOS-CX command injection flaw.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement robust access controls, conduct regular security assessments, and enforce best security practices to protect the network from unauthorized access and malicious activities.

Patching and Updates

Stay vigilant for security advisories from Aruba and apply patches promptly to ensure the security of ArubaOS-CX Switch Devices.