CVE-2023-22751 in ArubaOS
Summary
by MITRE • 03/01/2023
There are stack-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities that could lead to unauthenticated remote code execution by sending specially crafted packets destined to the PAPI (Aruba Networks access point management protocol) UDP port (8211). Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities result in the ability to execute arbitrary code as a privileged user on the underlying operating system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-22751 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within Aruba Networks access point management protocol implementation. This flaw exists in the handling of packets directed to the PAPI UDP port 8211, which serves as the primary communication channel for managing Aruba wireless access points. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and bounds checking within the protocol parser, creating an exploitable condition where maliciously crafted packets can overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which falls under the broader category of memory safety issues that have historically been a primary attack vector for remote code execution exploits.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it enables unauthenticated remote code execution on affected systems. Attackers can leverage this weakness by sending specifically crafted UDP packets to port 8211 without requiring any prior authentication credentials or privileged access. The successful exploitation results in arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected service, which typically runs with elevated system permissions. This privilege escalation capability allows attackers to gain full control over the underlying operating system, potentially enabling them to install malware, establish persistence mechanisms, or exfiltrate sensitive data from the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects Aruba Networks wireless access point management systems and related network infrastructure components that utilize the PAPI protocol for communication.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution and T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely without user interaction. The attack surface is particularly concerning for enterprise wireless networks where Aruba access points are deployed, as these devices often serve as critical network entry points and may have direct access to internal network segments. Organizations with legacy systems or those that have not applied security patches may face significant risk exposure, as the vulnerability can be exploited from external networks without requiring any specialized tools or extensive reconnaissance. The lack of authentication requirements for exploitation makes this particularly dangerous in environments where wireless infrastructure is not properly segmented from critical network zones.
Security mitigations for CVE-2023-22751 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Aruba Networks, as the vendor has released security updates addressing the buffer overflow conditions. Network segmentation strategies should be implemented to isolate the PAPI UDP port 8211 from untrusted networks, potentially through firewall rules or network access control lists that restrict traffic to only authorized management systems. Additional protective measures include implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on suspicious packet patterns targeting port 8211, as well as monitoring for unauthorized access attempts or unusual network behavior. Organizations should also consider disabling the PAPI protocol entirely if it is not required for their operational environment, as this eliminates the attack surface entirely. Regular vulnerability assessments and network scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of unpatched systems within the wireless infrastructure, as the vulnerability may also affect related Aruba networking equipment that utilizes similar protocol implementations.