CVE-2022-37909 in ArubaOS
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2022
Aruba has identified certain configurations of ArubaOS that can lead to sensitive information disclosure from the configured ESSIDs. The scenarios in which disclosure of potentially sensitive information can occur are complex, and depend on factors beyond the control of attackers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-37909 represents a sensitive information disclosure issue within ArubaOS wireless networking systems that affects the configuration of Enterprise Service Set Identifiers. This weakness stems from improper handling of ESSID data within the ArubaOS framework, where specific configuration patterns can inadvertently expose confidential network information to unauthorized parties. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network infrastructure, specifically impacting the wireless access point management and configuration components that process ESSID parameters. The disclosure occurs through the network management interfaces and configuration protocols that handle wireless network identification data, creating potential exposure points for network administrators and attackers who might exploit the misconfigured systems.
The technical flaw manifests when ArubaOS devices process ESSID configurations under certain conditions that cause the system to return sensitive network information in responses to management queries or configuration requests. This behavior aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper exposure of sensitive information, and represents a classic example of information leakage through protocol responses or configuration interfaces. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because ESSIDs often contain network identification information that can reveal organizational structure, network topology, or operational details that attackers might use for further exploitation. The complexity of the scenarios that trigger this disclosure means that the vulnerability can be activated through various combinations of system configurations, network protocols, and management interface interactions that are not easily predictable or controllable by attackers alone.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-37909 extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks through reconnaissance phases. When sensitive ESSID information is exposed, it can provide attackers with valuable intelligence about network segmentation, organizational structure, and wireless infrastructure deployment patterns that align with ATT&CK technique T1592, which involves reconnaissance through network discovery and enumeration. The vulnerability can compromise network security posture by revealing network identification information that might be used to plan targeted attacks or identify specific network components for exploitation. Organizations using affected ArubaOS versions may experience degraded security due to the exposure of network configuration details that should remain confidential, potentially leading to privilege escalation or lateral movement attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper access controls and network segmentation around wireless management interfaces, ensuring that only authorized administrators can access sensitive configuration data. Network administrators should review and harden their ArubaOS configurations to prevent the exposure of sensitive ESSID information, particularly in environments where multiple networks or organizations share management interfaces. The recommended approach includes applying the latest firmware updates from Aruba that address the information disclosure vulnerability, implementing network monitoring to detect unusual access patterns to wireless configuration interfaces, and establishing strict access controls through role-based permissions that limit who can view or modify ESSID configurations. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments to identify any remaining configuration vulnerabilities that might contribute to information exposure scenarios, ensuring compliance with security standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO/IEC 27001 that emphasize proper information handling and access control mechanisms.