CVE-2023-22748 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-22748 article provides insightful information about multiple unauthenticated command injections in the PAPI Protocol affecting Aruba Networking devices managed by Aruba Central.

Understanding CVE-2023-22748

This section delves into the details of CVE-2023-22748, highlighting the vulnerability, impacts, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies associated with this security issue.

What is CVE-2023-22748?

The CVE-2023-22748 vulnerability involves multiple command injection flaws that can be exploited by sending specially crafted packets to the PAPI (Aruba Networks access point management protocol) UDP port (8211). Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system as a privileged user, leading to unauthorized remote code execution.

The Impact of CVE-2023-22748

The impact of CVE-2023-22748 is severe, with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8, denoting a critical severity level. The vulnerabilities pose a high risk to confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems. As the attack vector is over the network and requires no user interaction, the potential for unauthorized access and data compromise is significant.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-22748

In this section, the technical aspects of CVE-2023-22748 are explored, including vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows for unauthenticated command injection through specially crafted packets targeting the PAPI Protocol UDP port (8211), enabling remote code execution as a privileged user on the underlying operating system.

Affected Systems and Versions

The following products by Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) are affected:

Aruba Mobility Conductor (formerly Mobility Master)
Aruba Mobility Controllers
WLAN Gateways and SD-WAN Gateways managed by Aruba Central

The specific vulnerable versions include ArubaOS 8.6.x.x, ArubaOS 8.10.x.x, ArubaOS 10.3.x.x, and SD-WAN 8.7.0.0-2.3.0.x.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-22748 involves sending specially crafted packets to the PAPI UDP port (8211) to trigger the command injection vulnerabilities. Attackers can achieve remote code execution without the need for authentication, potentially compromising the target system's security.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the steps organizations and users can take to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-22748.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should apply patches released by Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) promptly to address the vulnerabilities in the affected products.
Network administrators should monitor and restrict access to the PAPI UDP port (8211) to prevent unauthorized exploitation.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the reach of potential attacks within the network.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all network devices to mitigate security vulnerabilities effectively.
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address potential weaknesses in the network infrastructure.
Enhance network security posture by implementing intrusion detection and prevention systems to identify and block malicious activities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from the vendor, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), regarding CVE-2023-22748. Regularly apply patches and firmware updates to ensure the security of the network infrastructure and prevent potential cyber threats.