CVE-2021-41005 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
This vulnerability affects Aruba Instant On 1930 Switch Series devices running firmware versions below v1.0.7.0, representing a critical remote code execution flaw that could allow unauthorized attackers to gain full administrative control over affected network infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and authentication mechanisms within the switch's web-based management interface, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors to execute arbitrary commands on the affected devices. This remote code execution capability fundamentally compromises the network security posture by enabling attackers to manipulate switch configurations, intercept network traffic, or establish persistent backdoors within the organization's network infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a failure in the switch's authentication and authorization processes, where the device does not properly validate user credentials or sanitize input parameters submitted through the web interface. Attackers can leverage this weakness to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain administrative privileges without proper authorization, potentially leading to complete network compromise. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical access to the device, making it particularly dangerous for network administrators who rely on remote management capabilities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and represents a significant deviation from secure coding practices that should enforce robust authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to manipulate network configurations, potentially causing denial of service conditions or creating unauthorized network segments. Network administrators may experience complete loss of control over their switch infrastructure, with attackers able to modify VLAN configurations, disable security features, or redirect network traffic through malicious routing. The vulnerability affects organizations that deploy Aruba Instant On switches in their network infrastructure, potentially exposing sensitive corporate data and creating opportunities for lateral movement within the network. This threat vector is particularly concerning given that many organizations rely on remote management capabilities for their network infrastructure, making the impact of such a vulnerability widespread across enterprise environments.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate firmware updates to version v1.0.7.0 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the authentication bypass and input validation flaws. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to isolate affected switches from critical network segments and deploy network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include disabling unnecessary network services, implementing strong access controls for management interfaces, and conducting regular security assessments of network infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware and following security best practices for network device management. Organizations should also consider implementing network access control lists and intrusion detection systems to monitor for potential exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive audit logs of management interface access. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of network infrastructure security and the need for continuous monitoring and patch management processes to prevent successful exploitation attempts.