CVE-2023-35978 : Security Advisory and Response

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2023-35978, a vulnerability in ArubaOS that allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to conduct a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against users of the web-based management interface.

Understanding CVE-2023-35978

This section covers what CVE-2023-35978 entails and its impact on affected systems.

What is CVE-2023-35978?

CVE-2023-35978 is a vulnerability in ArubaOS that enables an unauthenticated remote attacker to execute a reflected XSS attack on users of the web-based management interface. Successful exploitation could allow the attacker to run arbitrary script code in a victim's browser within the affected interface.

The Impact of CVE-2023-35978

The impact of this vulnerability includes the potential execution of malicious script code in the victim's browser, compromising the security and integrity of the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-35978

This section delves into the technical aspects of the vulnerability, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in ArubaOS permits an unauthenticated remote attacker to execute a reflected XSS attack through the web-based management interface, posing a significant threat to system security.

Affected Systems and Versions

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

Versions Affected:

ArubaOS 10.4.x.x: 10.4.0.1 and below
ArubaOS 8.11.x.x: 8.11.1.0 and below
ArubaOS 8.10.x.x: 8.10.0.6 and below
ArubaOS 8.6.x.x: 8.6.0.20 and below

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is exploited by an unauthenticated remote attacker through a reflected XSS attack on users of the web-based management interface, allowing malicious script code execution.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the steps to mitigate the CVE-2023-35978 vulnerability and prevent future attacks.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should apply security patches promptly to address the vulnerability.
Implement network security measures to detect and prevent XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security audits and assessments to identify and remediate vulnerabilities.
Educate users on best practices to prevent XSS attacks and enhance overall cybersecurity.

Patching and Updates

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) may release security patches and updates for the affected versions of ArubaOS to mitigate the vulnerability.