Multiple Vulnerabilities in Aruba AOS-8 and AOS-10 Allow for Arbitrary Code Execution, XSS, and DoS

Multiple vulnerabilities exist within Aruba AOS-8 Instant AP and AOS-10 AP software. Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system, conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks against users of the management interface, or trigger a denial-of-service (DoS) condition, impacting the availability of the wireless network. The specific versions affected and the exploitation methods are not detailed in this advisory. Defenders should apply vendor patches as soon as possible.

Attack Chain

1. Attacker identifies a vulnerable Aruba AOS device on the network.
2. The attacker crafts a malicious request targeting a specific vulnerability in the ArubaOS web interface.
3. If the vulnerability is an arbitrary code execution flaw, the attacker injects and executes malicious code on the device.
4. If the vulnerability is a cross-site scripting (XSS) flaw, the attacker injects malicious JavaScript code into a web page served by the ArubaOS device.
5. When a legitimate user visits the compromised web page, the injected JavaScript code executes in their browser, potentially stealing credentials or performing actions on their behalf.
6. For a denial-of-service vulnerability, the attacker sends a series of crafted packets to the ArubaOS device, overwhelming its resources.
7. The ArubaOS device becomes unresponsive, disrupting wireless network services for legitimate users.
8. The attacker gains unauthorized access to the network or disrupts network availability.

Impact

Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities can lead to arbitrary code execution, potentially compromising the entire ArubaOS device. Cross-site scripting can lead to credential theft and unauthorized actions performed on behalf of legitimate users. Denial-of-service attacks can disrupt wireless network services, impacting productivity and business operations. The number of potential victims depends on the number of unpatched Aruba AOS devices on the network.

Recommendation

• Apply the latest security patches provided by Aruba for ArubaOS to remediate the vulnerabilities described in this brief.
• Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block common XSS attack patterns to prevent exploitation of XSS vulnerabilities.
• Monitor network traffic for suspicious activity, such as excessive requests or malformed packets, that could indicate a denial-of-service attack.