CVE-2021-37715 in AirWave Management Platform
Summary
by MITRE • 08/27/2021
A remote cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability was discovered in Aruba AirWave Management Platform version(s): Prior to 8.2.13.0. Aruba has released upgrades for the Aruba AirWave Management Platform that address this security vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2021
The CVE-2021-37715 vulnerability represents a critical remote cross-site scripting flaw within the Aruba AirWave Management Platform, a widely deployed wireless network management solution used by enterprises and organizations to monitor and control their wireless infrastructure. This vulnerability exists in versions prior to 8.2.13.0, indicating that the flaw has been present for an extended period, potentially allowing attackers to exploit it for extended durations without detection. The AirWave platform serves as a central management console for Aruba wireless access points, controllers, and other network components, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise wireless network environments. The vulnerability's classification as remote indicates that attackers can exploit it without requiring physical access to the network or direct system interaction, significantly expanding the attack surface and potential impact.
The technical nature of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the AirWave Management Platform's web interface. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that get executed in the context of authenticated users' browsers when they navigate to affected pages or interact with compromised content. This flaw typically occurs when user-supplied data is directly incorporated into web pages without proper sanitization or encoding, allowing malicious scripts to be injected and subsequently executed. The vulnerability likely resides in parameters or input fields that handle user data, configuration settings, or network information displayed within the web interface. According to CWE standards, this maps to CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly encode or escape user-provided data in web applications. The attack vector involves sending malicious input through web requests that are then rendered back to users, creating an execution environment where attacker-controlled JavaScript code can run with the privileges of the authenticated user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the compromised environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this XSS vulnerability could potentially steal session cookies, allowing them to hijack user sessions and gain unauthorized access to the AirWave management interface. This would provide access to sensitive network configuration data, device management capabilities, and potentially enable further attacks against the underlying wireless infrastructure. The platform's role as a central management point means that successful exploitation could lead to broader network compromise, including the ability to modify wireless configurations, disable security features, or even gain access to other systems within the network perimeter. Additionally, attackers could use this vulnerability to establish persistent access through malicious bookmarks or injected code that maintains presence across multiple user sessions, creating a stealthy attack vector that could remain undetected for extended periods. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, where the initial compromise might involve executing malicious scripts through the web interface, and potentially T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, where attackers might use the vulnerability to deliver additional malicious payloads through compromised web sessions.
Organizations utilizing the Aruba AirWave Management Platform must prioritize immediate remediation through the official Aruba security updates that address this vulnerability. The upgrade to version 8.2.13.0 or later represents the primary mitigation strategy, as it includes proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms that prevent the injection of malicious scripts. Network administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any systems running vulnerable versions and implement patch management procedures to ensure timely deployment of security updates. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block XSS attack patterns, monitoring web application logs for suspicious activity, and conducting regular security testing of the AirWave interface. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation strategies to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, ensuring that even if an attacker compromises the AirWave management interface, they cannot easily move laterally within the network. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of the updated platform to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues with existing network configurations or management workflows. Security teams should also review access controls and authentication mechanisms within the AirWave platform to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to management functions, reducing the potential attack surface for this type of vulnerability.