CVE-2019-5315 in ArubaOS
Summary
by MITRE
A command injection vulnerability is present in the web management interface of ArubaOS that permits an authenticated 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. This vulnerability only affects ArubaOS 8.x.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2020
The command injection vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5315 represents a critical security flaw within the web management interface of ArubaOS version 8.x systems. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the web interface components that handle administrative commands. The flaw allows authenticated users to inject malicious commands that are subsequently executed with elevated privileges on the underlying operating system. The vulnerability specifically targets the web-based management console which serves as the primary interface for system administrators to configure and manage network devices. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-77 which categorizes command injection flaws as weaknesses in software that allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the host system. The security implications are particularly severe because the attack vector requires only authentication, eliminating the need for additional exploitation techniques that would typically be required for remote code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized command execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential persistence mechanisms. An attacker with valid administrative credentials could leverage this vulnerability to install persistent backdoors, modify system configurations, and establish covert communication channels that would evade normal logging mechanisms. The web management interface typically maintains audit logs of administrative activities, but command injection attacks can be designed to circumvent these logging mechanisms or overwrite existing logs to cover malicious activities. This vulnerability enables attackers to perform actions that would normally require direct system access, including modifying firewall rules, accessing sensitive network configurations, and potentially escalating privileges further within the network infrastructure. The affected ArubaOS 8.x versions represent a significant attack surface since these systems are commonly deployed in enterprise and campus network environments where they serve as critical infrastructure components. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only legitimate administrative access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative credentials might be compromised through social engineering, credential theft, or insider threats.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-5315 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided security patches and updates to upgrade their ArubaOS 8.x systems to versions that have resolved this vulnerability. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit the number of users with administrative privileges, following the principle of least privilege. The implementation of multi-factor authentication for administrative access can add additional layers of protection against unauthorized access. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous command execution patterns and unusual administrative activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network infrastructure components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter techniques, specifically highlighting the execution of system commands through web interfaces. Network administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input validation controls to prevent similar injection attacks across their network infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in web applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle to prevent such flaws from reaching production environments.