CVE-2023-22772 in ArubaOS
Summary
by MITRE • 03/01/2023
An authenticated path traversal vulnerability exists in the ArubaOS web-based management interface. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability results in the ability to delete arbitrary files in the underlying operating system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2025
The CVE-2023-22772 vulnerability represents a critical authenticated path traversal flaw within ArubaOS web-based management interfaces that poses significant operational risks to network infrastructure. This vulnerability specifically affects the authentication mechanisms of Aruba's wireless networking equipment, where authorized users can exploit improper input validation in file handling operations. The flaw resides in how the system processes user-supplied paths during file operations, allowing attackers who have valid credentials to manipulate directory traversal sequences and gain unauthorized access to the underlying operating system's file structure. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 Path Traversal which is a well-documented weakness in software systems where insufficient validation of user-provided input allows attackers to access files outside the intended directory structure. This particular implementation of path traversal enables not merely arbitrary file reading but more critically arbitrary file deletion, amplifying the potential impact of exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the web interface's insufficient sanitization of file path parameters within the management console. When legitimate users attempt to perform file operations through the web interface, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize the input paths, allowing special characters such as double dots and forward slashes to be interpreted as directory traversal commands. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious requests that include sequences like "../" to navigate outside the intended file access boundaries and reach system-critical directories. The vulnerability specifically targets the operating system's file management functions, where authenticated sessions can be leveraged to execute destructive operations including file deletion, potentially compromising the integrity and availability of network device configurations, logs, and system binaries. This type of attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter where adversaries use legitimate interface tools to execute commands that can lead to system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-22772 extends beyond simple data loss, as it can result in complete system compromise and network disruption. Successful exploitation allows attackers to delete critical system files, configuration data, and potentially even the operating system itself, leading to complete device failure and requiring extensive recovery procedures. Network administrators who are authenticated to the ArubaOS interface become potential vectors for this attack, making it particularly dangerous in environments where privileged access is widely distributed. The vulnerability creates a scenario where internal threats or compromised accounts can cause catastrophic damage to network infrastructure, as the deletion capability extends to arbitrary files within the operating system's directory structure. Organizations using Aruba wireless networking equipment face potential business disruption, regulatory compliance issues, and increased recovery costs when such vulnerabilities are exploited. The impact is further compounded by the fact that these devices often serve as critical network control points, where loss of functionality can affect enterprise-wide connectivity and security posture. This vulnerability type also enables potential lateral movement within networks as attackers may delete files that could be used for forensic analysis or system recovery, making incident response more challenging and time-consuming.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-22772 should include immediate patching of affected ArubaOS versions, implementation of network segmentation to limit access to management interfaces, and enhanced monitoring of file system operations within affected devices. Organizations should enforce principle of least privilege for management access, ensuring that only necessary personnel have authenticated access to the web interface. Network administrators should implement additional security controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious path traversal attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network management interfaces. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation and proper access control implementation in network infrastructure devices. Organizations should consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect path traversal patterns in web applications and network devices. Additionally, maintaining detailed audit logs of file operations and access attempts can provide crucial forensic data for incident response when such vulnerabilities are exploited. The remediation process should include verification that all affected devices have been properly updated and that no unauthorized changes have been made to the system configuration.