CVE-2023-30504 in EdgeConnect Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE • 05/16/2023
Vulnerabilities exist in the Aruba EdgeConnect Enterprise command line interface that allow remote authenticated users to run arbitrary commands on the underlying host. Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities result in the ability to execute arbitrary commands as root on the underlying operating system leading to complete system compromise.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2023
The CVE-2023-30504 vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw within the Aruba EdgeConnect Enterprise command line interface that fundamentally undermines the security posture of affected systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the authentication mechanism and command processing functionality of the EdgeConnect platform, creating a pathway for remote authenticated attackers to escalate their privileges and execute arbitrary code with root-level permissions. The flaw exists in the way the system handles command inputs through its CLI interface, where insufficient input validation and sanitization allows maliciously crafted commands to bypass security controls and be executed directly on the underlying operating system. Such a vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the system level rather than merely affecting application functionality, providing attackers with complete control over the host environment.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, representing command injection and code execution flaws that enable attackers to run arbitrary commands on the target system. The attack surface is specifically centered around the EdgeConnect Enterprise's command line interface implementation, where user inputs are processed without proper validation mechanisms. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by authenticating to the system with legitimate credentials and then exploiting the command processing logic to inject malicious commands that are subsequently executed with elevated privileges. The underlying operating system architecture appears to lack proper input sanitization controls that would prevent command injection attacks, creating a direct pathway from authenticated user access to root-level command execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-30504 extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities that align with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Once exploited, attackers can establish persistent access, exfiltrate sensitive data, modify system configurations, and potentially use the compromised system as a launch point for lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability affects organizations using Aruba EdgeConnect Enterprise solutions, which are typically deployed in enterprise networking and security contexts where system integrity is paramount. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur without physical access to the device, making it particularly concerning for organizations that rely on these appliances for network security and edge connectivity.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying vendor-provided security patches and updates as soon as they become available, restricting access to the command line interface through network segmentation and access controls, and implementing monitoring solutions to detect anomalous command execution patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and privilege separation in security-critical applications, as the flaw essentially removes the boundary between user authentication and system command execution. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive assessments of their EdgeConnect deployments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in related systems, while implementing network-based detection measures to identify potential exploitation attempts. The incident underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security controls and proper access management practices to prevent unauthorized command execution on critical infrastructure systems.