CVE-2023-39267 in Switch
Summary
by MITRE • 08/29/2023
An authenticated remote code execution vulnerability exists in the command line interface in ArubaOS-Switch. Successful exploitation results in a Denial-of-Service (DoS) condition in the switch.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-39267 represents a critical security flaw within ArubaOS-Switch command line interface that enables authenticated remote code execution. This vulnerability specifically targets the switch's command line interface implementation, creating a pathway for attackers who have already established authentication credentials to escalate their privileges and execute arbitrary commands on the affected network device. The flaw exists in the processing of command line inputs within the ArubaOS-Switch operating system, potentially allowing an attacker to gain unauthorized control over the switch functionality.
This vulnerability manifests as a command injection flaw that operates within the context of an authenticated session, meaning that an attacker must first establish valid credentials to exploit the vulnerability. The technical implementation appears to lack proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms when processing command line arguments, allowing malicious payloads to be interpreted and executed as legitimate system commands. The vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category of CWE-77 and CWE-94, representing command injection vulnerabilities that permit arbitrary code execution. The specific nature of the flaw suggests insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input before being processed by the underlying command execution mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to include potential denial-of-service conditions that can severely disrupt network operations. When exploited, the vulnerability can cause the switch to become unresponsive or crash, resulting in network downtime that affects critical infrastructure connectivity. Network administrators may experience complete loss of switch functionality, requiring manual intervention to restore normal operations through device reboot or firmware recovery procedures. The vulnerability's authenticated nature means that it could be exploited by insider threats or compromised accounts, making detection more challenging as the attack appears to originate from legitimate administrative sessions. Additionally, the DoS condition can be leveraged as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, potentially enabling lateral movement within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-39267 should prioritize immediate implementation of firmware updates provided by Aruba to address the command injection vulnerability. Network administrators should enforce strict access controls and implement multi-factor authentication for all administrative sessions to reduce the attack surface. Regular monitoring of switch logs for unusual command execution patterns and implementing network segmentation can help detect and contain potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, where adversaries use legitimate system tools to execute malicious code. Organizations should also implement network access control measures and consider deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for anomalous behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other network infrastructure components, as this vulnerability type often indicates broader implementation issues that may affect other system components. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of updated firmware to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues with existing network configurations while maintaining the device's operational integrity.