CVE-2020-7129 in AirWave
Summary
by MITRE • 11/05/2020
A remote execution of arbitrary commands vulnerability was discovered in Aruba Airwave Software version(s): Prior to 1.3.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-7129 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in Aruba Airwave Software versions prior to 1.3.2, exposing organizations to significant cybersecurity risks. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the software's web interface, specifically affecting the handling of user-supplied parameters that are subsequently processed by the system. The flaw exists in the way the application processes command-line arguments, creating an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious commands that execute with the privileges of the web application service account.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-77, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in command injection attacks. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious HTTP requests containing specially formatted parameters that bypass normal input sanitization mechanisms. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly escape or validate user inputs before incorporating them into system commands, allowing for arbitrary command execution on the underlying operating system. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the command level, potentially granting attackers full control over the affected system.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-7129 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely without authentication. This capability allows threat actors to escalate privileges, install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or disrupt network operations. The vulnerability affects network infrastructure monitoring systems, making it particularly concerning for organizations that rely on Aruba Airwave for wireless network management and monitoring. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain persistence within the network, potentially compromising multiple devices managed by the affected Airwave system.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to Aruba Airwave version 1.3.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the Airwave management interfaces from untrusted networks. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that web application accounts have minimal necessary permissions. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and implement intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious command execution patterns. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, highlighting the need for comprehensive endpoint detection and response capabilities to prevent successful exploitation.