CVE-2008-7095 in Aruba Mobility Controller
Summary
by MITRE
The SNMP daemon in ArubaOS 3.3.2.6 in Aruba Mobility Controller does not restrict SNMP access, which allows remote attackers to (1) read all SNMP community strings via SNMP-COMMUNITY-MIB::snmpCommunityName (1.3.6.1.6.3.18.1.1.1.2) or SNMP-VIEW-BASED-ACM-MIB::vacmGroupName (1.3.6.1.6.3.16.1.2.1.3) with knowledge of one community string, and (2) read SNMPv3 user names via SNMP-USER-BASED-SM-MIB or SNMP-VIEW-BASED-ACM-MIB.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/18/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-7095 affects the SNMP daemon implementation within ArubaOS version 3.3.2.6 running on Aruba Mobility Controllers, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines network security posture. This issue stems from insufficient SNMP access restrictions within the ArubaOS operating system, creating an environment where unauthorized remote attackers can exploit the system's SNMP configuration to gain elevated information access. The vulnerability specifically targets the SNMP community string management and access control mechanisms, allowing attackers to bypass normal authentication procedures and extract sensitive configuration data from the network infrastructure.
The technical flaw manifests through the lack of proper access controls in the SNMP daemon implementation, which permits arbitrary read access to sensitive SNMP management information base (MIB) objects. Attackers with knowledge of a single community string can leverage this weakness to enumerate all SNMP community strings through the SNMP-COMMUNITY-MIB::snmpCommunityName object and SNMP-VIEW-BASED-ACM-MIB::vacmGroupName objects. Additionally, the vulnerability extends to SNMPv3 user name enumeration via SNMP-USER-BASED-SM-MIB and SNMP-VIEW-BASED-ACM-MIB, exposing authentication credentials and user access control information that should remain protected. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege and access control enforcement, allowing attackers to escalate their information gathering capabilities beyond what would normally be permitted.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with comprehensive access to network device configuration data and authentication information. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability from any network location without requiring physical access or additional authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous for wireless network infrastructure. The exposure of SNMP community strings and user names enables attackers to gain further access to network devices, potentially leading to complete network compromise, data exfiltration, and unauthorized network modifications. This vulnerability directly violates security best practices and industry standards such as those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001, which emphasize the importance of proper access control and information classification.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends across all Aruba Mobility Controllers running the affected ArubaOS version, making it a widespread concern for organizations utilizing Aruba wireless networking solutions. Network administrators should recognize this as a critical security gap that requires immediate attention, as the vulnerability enables reconnaissance activities that can lead to more sophisticated attacks. The lack of proper SNMP access restrictions creates a persistent threat vector that remains active until the underlying software flaw is addressed through patches or configuration changes. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including SNMP access control configuration, community string rotation, and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of this vulnerability. This issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1082 (System Information Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers can use the exposed information to craft more targeted attacks against the compromised network infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing proper network device access controls and highlights the need for regular security assessments of network infrastructure components to identify and remediate similar access control weaknesses.