CVE-2019-5318 in Operating System Software
Summary
by MITRE • 09/07/2021
A remote cross-site request forgery (csrf) vulnerability was discovered in Aruba Operating System Software version(s): 6.x.x.x: all versions, 8.x.x.x: all versions prior to 8.8.0.0. Aruba has released patches for ArubaOS that address this security vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5318 represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw within Aruba Operating System software across multiple version lines. This csrf vulnerability specifically affects ArubaOS versions 6.x.x.x across all iterations and versions 8.x.x.x prior to the 8.8.0.0 release. The flaw exists in the web-based administrative interface of Aruba network devices, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on these systems for wireless network management and control. The vulnerability allows attackers to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users without their knowledge or consent.
The technical implementation of this csrf vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of cross-site requests within the ArubaOS web administration interface. When an authenticated user visits a malicious website or clicks on a crafted link, the attacker can leverage the user's existing session to execute administrative commands on the target Aruba device. This occurs because the web application fails to properly verify the origin of requests or implement anti-csrf tokens that would prevent unauthorized operations from being processed. The vulnerability specifically impacts the device management functions that require administrative privileges, including configuration changes, user management, and system settings modifications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or modification, as it provides attackers with potential full administrative control over affected Aruba network devices. An attacker could exploit this flaw to modify wireless network configurations, create unauthorized user accounts, disable security features, or even gain access to sensitive network data. The implications are particularly severe for organizations using Aruba wireless controllers, as these devices often serve as central management points for entire wireless networks. The vulnerability affects both legacy 6.x.x.x versions and older 8.x.x.x releases, meaning organizations with extended support cycles or legacy deployments face prolonged exposure to this risk. Network segmentation and traditional perimeter security measures may not prevent exploitation since the attack vector operates through legitimate administrative interfaces.
Organizations should immediately implement the patches released by Aruba to address this vulnerability, specifically targeting the 8.8.0.0 version or later for 8.x.x.x systems. The remediation process requires careful planning and coordination, as upgrading ArubaOS software may require downtime and could potentially impact network operations. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as restricting administrative access to specific IP ranges, implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts, and monitoring for unusual administrative activities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting through social engineering. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all affected devices and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.