CVE-2017-8946 in Aruba AirWave Glass
Summary
by MITRE
A Remote Code Execution vulnerability in HPE Aruba AirWave Glass version v1.0.0 and 1.0.1 was found.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8946 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within HPE Aruba AirWave Glass software versions 1.0.0 and 1.0.1. This remote code execution vulnerability stems from improper input validation mechanisms within the application's web interface, specifically affecting the handling of user-supplied data in HTTP request parameters. The flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the web application service account, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive network infrastructure data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic command injection attack vector where malicious input is not properly sanitized before being processed by the application's backend systems. The affected AirWave Glass version fails to adequately validate or escape user inputs passed through HTTP parameters, creating an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious commands that get executed within the context of the web server process. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-77 attack pattern category, specifically representing command injection flaws that enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the target system. The flaw exists in the application's input processing logic and lacks proper sanitization mechanisms to prevent malicious code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete network infrastructure compromise. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain access to wireless network management data, user credentials, device configurations, and potentially escalate privileges to system administrator levels. The affected Aruba AirWave Glass system serves as a central management platform for wireless access points and network devices, making it a prime target for attackers seeking persistent access to enterprise wireless networks. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the managed network infrastructure, as attackers could modify configurations, disable services, or exfiltrate sensitive data from the wireless network management system.
Security professionals should immediately implement mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates released for affected versions of the AirWave Glass software. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enhanced to limit exposure of the AirWave management interface to untrusted networks. The implementation of web application firewalls and input validation controls can provide additional layers of protection against similar injection attacks. Organizations should also conduct thorough network assessments to identify any unauthorized access attempts and monitor for suspicious activities in their wireless network management systems. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, demonstrating how unvalidated inputs can lead to arbitrary code execution and persistent access to critical infrastructure components. Regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs should be implemented to prevent similar issues in other network management applications and ensure comprehensive protection against remote code execution threats.