CVE-2022-37895 in InstantOS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/07/2022
An unauthenticated Denial of Service (DoS) vulnerability exists in the handling of certain SSID strings by Aruba InstantOS and ArubaOS 10. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability results in the ability to interrupt the normal operation of the affected AP 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 InstantOS that address this security vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical denial of service weakness in Aruba wireless access point firmware that affects multiple versions of both Aruba InstantOS and ArubaOS operating systems. The flaw specifically manifests during the processing of certain Service Set Identifier (SSID) strings, which are fundamental components used by wireless networks to identify themselves to client devices. When an attacker crafts and transmits malformed SSID strings to affected access points, the system fails to properly handle these inputs, leading to operational disruption. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-400 category of Uncontrolled Resource Consumption, specifically manifesting as a resource exhaustion attack that can render wireless access points non-functional.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the insufficient input validation mechanisms within the wireless firmware's SSID parsing routines. When an access point receives a malformed SSID string, the parsing logic fails to properly sanitize or reject the input, causing the system to enter an unstable state. This typically results in the access point crashing or becoming unresponsive, effectively removing wireless connectivity for all devices connected to that specific access point. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication to exploit, making it accessible to anyone within radio range of the affected device. The attack vector operates through standard wireless management protocols, specifically targeting the wireless controller's handling of SSID information during network provisioning and operation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple network disruption to encompass significant business continuity concerns for organizations relying on Aruba wireless infrastructure. When exploited, affected access points become unavailable for their primary function of providing wireless connectivity, potentially affecting hundreds or thousands of users depending on the network size. The vulnerability affects multiple firmware versions across different product lines, indicating a systemic issue within the wireless firmware architecture that requires comprehensive patching across the entire affected product portfolio. Organizations may experience extended downtime during the patching process, and the vulnerability could be exploited during critical business operations, leading to productivity losses and potential customer service disruptions.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigation strategies including network segmentation to limit exposure, monitoring for anomalous SSID patterns, and deployment of the vendor-provided firmware updates. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in embedded systems and wireless infrastructure components, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1499.002 for Network Denial of Service. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls to prevent unauthorized wireless device provisioning and establish monitoring procedures for detecting malformed SSID traffic patterns. The incident underscores the critical need for robust firmware security practices and regular vulnerability assessments of wireless infrastructure components to prevent similar exploitation vectors from compromising network availability and operational integrity.