CVE-2023-22752 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 • 03/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-22752 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 wireless access points within Aruba's networking infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and bounds checking mechanisms within the protocol parser, allowing attackers to craft malicious packets that exceed the allocated buffer space on the target system. Such buffer overflows occur when the system attempts to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries, creating opportunities for attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations and potentially manipulate program execution flow.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the fundamental principles of stack-based buffer overflow attacks as classified under CWE-121, where insufficient boundary checking allows attackers to overwrite stack memory. Attackers can construct specially crafted packets containing malicious data payloads that, when processed by the vulnerable PAPI implementation, trigger the buffer overflow condition. This condition can be exploited to overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical stack variables, enabling attackers to redirect program execution to malicious code. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows unauthenticated remote code execution, meaning attackers do not require valid credentials to exploit the flaw, significantly broadening the attack surface and reducing the barriers to successful exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution capabilities, as successful exploitation grants attackers the ability to execute arbitrary code with privileged system-level access. This elevated privilege level allows malicious actors to perform actions such as installing persistent backdoors, modifying network configurations, accessing sensitive data stored on the affected systems, or establishing command and control channels for further network infiltration. The PAPI protocol's role in wireless access point management means that exploitation could potentially compromise entire wireless networks, affecting thousands of connected devices and providing attackers with a foothold for lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects Aruba's wireless access point management systems, which are commonly deployed in enterprise environments, educational institutions, and critical infrastructure sectors, making the potential impact substantial and widespread.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate access point management traffic, firewall rules to restrict UDP port 8211 access to trusted sources only, and network monitoring to detect anomalous packet patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of intrusion detection systems with signature-based detection for known malicious packet patterns can help identify exploitation attempts before they succeed. Additionally, network administrators should deploy network access control measures that limit direct access to management ports from untrusted networks and consider implementing network micro-segmentation to contain potential breaches. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise such as unusual network traffic patterns, unexpected system reboots, or unauthorized configuration changes that may indicate successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1210 - Exploitation of Remote Services aligns with the common exploitation patterns of network-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities, emphasizing the need for comprehensive network security controls and regular vulnerability assessments to prevent unauthorized access to critical network infrastructure components.