CVE-2022-37890 in InstantOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/07/2022
Unauthenticated buffer overflow vulnerabilities exist within the Aruba InstantOS and ArubaOS 10 web management interface. Successful exploitation results in the execution of arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system of Aruba InstantOS 6.4.x: 6.4.4.8-4.2.4.20 and below; Aruba InstantOS 6.5.x: 6.5.4.23 and below; Aruba InstantOS 8.6.x: 8.6.0.18 and below; Aruba InstantOS 8.7.x: 8.7.1.9 and below; Aruba InstantOS 8.10.x: 8.10.0.1 and below; ArubaOS 10.3.x: 10.3.1.0 and below; Aruba has released upgrades for Aruba InnstantOS that address these security vulnerabilities.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2026
The vulnerability CVE-2022-37890 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in Aruba's web management interface across multiple versions of InstantOS and ArubaOS 10. This issue stems from insufficient input validation within the web server component that handles HTTP requests, creating an exploitable condition where malicious actors can craft specially crafted payloads to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Aruba wireless networking equipment including access points and controllers that utilize these operating systems, making it particularly concerning for enterprise networks that rely heavily on Aruba infrastructure. The buffer overflow occurs when processing user-supplied data through web interface parameters, allowing attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw specifically impacts the web management interface components that handle administrative functions, providing attackers with a direct path to compromise the underlying operating system. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability without requiring authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited remotely from any network location. The affected versions span multiple major releases including InstantOS 6.4.x through 8.10.x and ArubaOS 10.3.x, indicating this represents a widespread issue that has persisted across several software generations. The exploitation mechanism typically involves crafting HTTP requests with oversized payloads that trigger memory corruption in the web server's buffer handling routines, potentially leading to code execution in the context of the web server process.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-37890 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass complete system compromise and potential network infiltration. Once exploited, attackers can execute arbitrary commands on the affected devices, potentially gaining root privileges and establishing persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as well as T1078.004 for valid accounts, since the exploitation allows for command execution without requiring legitimate authentication. The attack surface is particularly broad given that Aruba's wireless infrastructure is commonly deployed in enterprise environments, educational institutions, and government facilities where network segmentation may be inadequate. Organizations running affected versions face significant risk of data breaches, network disruption, and potential lateral movement within their infrastructure. The vulnerability's unauthenticated nature means that threat actors can exploit it from outside the network perimeter, potentially allowing for remote compromise of wireless access points and controllers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-37890 primarily focus on applying vendor-provided patches and updates as recommended by Aruba. Organizations should immediately upgrade their affected devices to the latest firmware versions that address this vulnerability, as Aruba has released specific fixes for all impacted InstantOS and ArubaOS 10 versions. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate wireless infrastructure from critical network segments, reducing the potential impact of successful exploitation. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify other potential entry points within the wireless network infrastructure. The remediation process should include thorough testing of firmware updates in controlled environments before deployment to production systems to ensure compatibility and prevent service disruption. Security teams should also implement network access controls to restrict access to the web management interfaces to trusted IP addresses only, reducing the attack surface for this particular vulnerability.