CVE-2020-7128 in AirWave
Summary
by MITRE • 11/05/2020
A remote unauthenticated arbitrary code execution vulnerability was discovered in Aruba Airwave Software version(s): Prior to 1.3.2.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-7128 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in Aruba Airwave Software that affects versions prior to 1.3.2. This security weakness resides in the web application interface of the Airwave management platform, which is widely deployed in enterprise wireless network environments for monitoring and managing Aruba access points and wireless infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the software's web server component, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on the affected system without requiring authentication credentials. This presents a severe risk to organizations that rely on Airwave for wireless network management, as the vulnerability can be exploited from any network location without prior authorization.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94, representing command injection and code injection flaws respectively, where user-supplied input is improperly handled and executed within the application context. The flaw manifests when the web application fails to properly validate or sanitize parameters passed to internal system commands, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that are subsequently executed with the privileges of the web server process. This particular vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution vulnerability because it can be triggered through network-based attacks without requiring physical access or legitimate user credentials, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where wireless infrastructure management is critical. The lack of authentication requirements significantly amplifies the impact, as any attacker with network access can exploit this flaw to gain complete control over the affected Airwave appliance.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-7128 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. Organizations utilizing Aruba Airwave for wireless network management face the risk of unauthorized access to wireless controller configurations, user credentials, and sensitive network information stored within the management platform. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, modify wireless network configurations, or redirect network traffic through malicious command and control channels. The vulnerability also poses significant risk to network availability, as attackers could potentially cause system crashes or denial of service conditions by executing malicious code that consumes system resources or disrupts normal operations. This threat is particularly concerning given that Airwave appliances often serve as central management points for large-scale wireless deployments, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals seeking to disrupt business operations or access sensitive corporate data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-7128 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to version 1.3.2 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes to address the command injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to Airwave management interfaces, restricting access to authorized administrative networks and employing network access controls to prevent unauthorized external connections. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive network scans to identify all instances of affected Airwave software and ensure proper access controls are implemented through strong authentication mechanisms and role-based access controls. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust security monitoring procedures to detect and respond to exploitation attempts. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, highlighting the multi-faceted attack vectors that can emerge from a single unpatched vulnerability in enterprise network management systems. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns associated with code execution activities and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored to address remote code execution vulnerabilities in network infrastructure management platforms.