CVE-2021-41004 in Instant On 1930 Switch
Summary
by MITRE • 04/12/2022
A remote vulnerability was discovered in Aruba Instant On 1930 Switch Series version(s): Firmware below v1.0.7.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-41004 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting Aruba Instant On 1930 Switch Series devices running firmware versions below v1.0.7.0. This vulnerability resides within the network infrastructure equipment that serves as a foundational component for wireless network deployments in enterprise and industrial environments. The affected switches are part of Aruba's Instant On series, which are designed for rapid deployment and management of wireless networks in various organizational settings.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and authentication mechanisms within the switch's web-based management interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary code on the affected devices without requiring legitimate credentials or physical access. The flaw likely manifests through improper handling of HTTP requests or API calls that control the switch's operational parameters. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation, and CWE-287, which covers improper authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability enables attackers to gain full administrative control over the affected switches, potentially compromising the entire wireless network infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted across enterprise network environments. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to intercept wireless traffic, modify network configurations, disable security features, and establish persistent access points within the network. The compromised switches could serve as launching pads for lateral movement attacks, enabling attackers to access sensitive network segments and corporate resources. Organizations relying on these switches for critical network operations face significant risk of data breaches, service disruptions, and compliance violations. The vulnerability affects network availability and integrity, potentially leading to unauthorized access to confidential information and disruption of business operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-41004 require immediate firmware updates to version v1.0.7.0 or later, which addresses the underlying authentication and input validation flaws. Network administrators should implement network segmentation to isolate affected switches from critical network segments and establish monitoring protocols to detect unauthorized access attempts. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary network services, implementing strong access controls for management interfaces, and conducting thorough network assessments to identify all affected devices. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current firmware versions and implementing robust network security practices. Organizations should consider implementing network intrusion detection systems and continuous monitoring to identify potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability also highlights the necessity of following security frameworks such as those outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly focusing on initial access and execution tactics that attackers might employ to compromise network infrastructure devices.