CVE-2017-9000 in ArubaOS
Summary
by MITRE
ArubaOS, all versions prior to 6.3.1.25, 6.4 prior to 6.4.4.16, 6.5.x prior to 6.5.1.9, 6.5.2, 6.5.3 prior to 6.5.3.3, 6.5.4 prior to 6.5.4.2, 8.x prior to 8.1.0.4 FIPS and non-FIPS versions of software are both affected equally is vulnerable to unauthenticated arbitrary file access. An unauthenticated user with network access to an Aruba mobility controller on TCP port 8080 or 8081 may be able to access arbitrary files stored on the mobility controller. Ports 8080 and 8081 are used for captive portal functionality and are listening, by default, on all IP interfaces of the mobility controller, including captive portal interfaces. The attacker could access files which could contain passwords, keys, and other sensitive information that could lead to full system compromise.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-9000 represents a critical security flaw in ArubaOS wireless network controllers that affects multiple software versions across different release branches. This issue stems from improper access controls within the captive portal functionality of the mobility controller, creating an unauthorized access vector that allows any network-connected attacker to retrieve sensitive system files without authentication. The affected versions include ArubaOS 6.3.x through 6.5.x releases, as well as 8.x versions, making it a widespread concern affecting numerous enterprise wireless infrastructure deployments. The vulnerability specifically targets TCP ports 8080 and 8081, which are designated for captive portal operations and are configured to listen on all IP interfaces by default, including those used for user authentication and network access control.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of proper authentication mechanisms in the captive portal service implementation, where the mobility controller fails to validate access requests before serving file content. When an attacker connects to the designated ports, the system does not require any form of authentication or authorization verification, allowing direct file system access to arbitrary locations. This flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates at the network level without requiring any credentials or prior access to the system, making it extremely difficult to detect and prevent through traditional network monitoring approaches. The vulnerability is classified as a weakness in authentication mechanisms, aligning with CWE-287 which addresses improper handling of authentication factors. The exposed file system access could potentially reveal sensitive information including but not limited to administrative passwords, encryption keys, configuration files, and other system artifacts that could be leveraged for further attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to gain complete system compromise through the acquisition of sensitive credentials and cryptographic materials. Once an attacker accesses these files, they could potentially escalate privileges, bypass authentication mechanisms, or even deploy malicious code within the network infrastructure. The captive portal functionality, which is typically used for user authentication and network access control, becomes a backdoor for unauthorized access to the underlying system, creating a fundamental breach in network security architecture. This vulnerability directly impacts the CIA triad, specifically compromising confidentiality and integrity of the network infrastructure, while also potentially affecting availability through the possibility of system manipulation or compromise. The attack surface is particularly concerning because these ports are enabled by default and accessible from any network location that can reach the mobility controller, making it a prime target for automated scanning and exploitation campaigns.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement network segmentation to restrict access to the vulnerable ports 8080 and 8081, particularly from untrusted networks and external interfaces. The most effective immediate mitigation involves configuring firewalls and access control lists to block external access to these specific ports while ensuring that internal network access remains properly controlled through authentication mechanisms. System administrators should also consider disabling the captive portal functionality entirely if it is not required for their network operations, as this eliminates the attack surface entirely. The recommended long-term solution involves upgrading to patched versions of ArubaOS, specifically versions 6.3.1.25, 6.4.4.16, 6.5.1.9, 6.5.2, 6.5.3.3, 6.5.4.2, and 8.1.0.4 or later, which contain proper authentication and access control mechanisms. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns to these ports, and regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in network infrastructure components. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation through unauthorized access to system resources.