CVE-2018-7082 in Instant
Summary
by MITRE
A command injection vulnerability is present in Aruba Instant that permits an authenticated administrative user to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system. A malicious administrator could use this ability to install backdoors or change system configuration in a way that would not be logged. Workaround: None. Resolution: Fixed in Aruba Instant 4.2.4.12, 6.5.4.11, 8.3.0.6, and 8.4.0.0
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2023
This command injection vulnerability exists within Aruba Instant wireless networking software where authenticated administrative users can exploit a flaw to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system. The vulnerability represents a critical security weakness that fundamentally undermines the integrity and confidentiality of network infrastructure managed by Aruba Instant devices. The flaw allows an attacker with administrative privileges to bypass normal security controls and gain unrestricted access to system resources, potentially enabling complete system compromise and persistent backdoor installation. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-77 Command Injection, which occurs when user-supplied data is directly incorporated into command execution without proper sanitization or validation. The attack vector specifically targets the administrative interface where legitimate administrators perform system management tasks, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages existing trust relationships within the network infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution capabilities, as it enables malicious actors to manipulate system configurations in ways that evade logging mechanisms and detection systems. An attacker could modify network policies, alter authentication settings, install persistent backdoors, or even completely compromise the device's operational integrity without leaving obvious traces in system logs. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly insidious from a defensive standpoint, as traditional security monitoring may fail to detect the unauthorized modifications. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Aruba Instant software, indicating a widespread issue that requires immediate attention from network administrators responsible for wireless infrastructure management. The lack of available workarounds means that organizations cannot mitigate the risk through configuration changes or temporary fixes while awaiting the official patch deployment.
Aruba has addressed this vulnerability in specific software versions including 4.2.4.12, 6.5.4.11, 8.3.0.6, and 8.4.0.0, requiring organizations to upgrade their Aruba Instant deployments to these patched versions to eliminate the risk. The remediation process involves careful planning and execution to ensure minimal disruption to wireless network services while achieving security compliance. Network administrators should prioritize the upgrade process and conduct thorough testing of the patched software to verify that existing wireless functionality remains intact. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting operating system command execution capabilities. Organizations should implement comprehensive network monitoring to detect any unusual command execution patterns and establish robust change management processes to track and validate system modifications. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of timely patch management and the potential consequences of delayed security updates in enterprise wireless infrastructure environments.