CVE-2024-42399 in Aruba InstantOS
Summary
by MITRE • 08/06/2024
Multiple unauthenticated Denial-of-Service (DoS) vulnerabilities exist in the Soft AP daemon accessed via the PAPI protocol. Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities results in the ability to interrupt the normal operation of the affected Access Point.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-42399 represents a critical security flaw affecting wireless access point infrastructure through the Soft AP daemon implementation. This vulnerability specifically targets the PAPI protocol interface which governs the operation of wireless access points in soft AP mode, where devices function as wireless access points rather than traditional network infrastructure components. The affected systems typically include enterprise wireless infrastructure, IoT devices, and embedded systems that rely on Soft AP functionality for network connectivity management.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms within the PAPI protocol implementation, allowing any remote attacker to establish connections without proper credentials or authorization. This fundamental flaw in the access control model creates a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the daemon through various attack vectors that can trigger system instability and operational disruption. The vulnerability manifests as multiple distinct DoS conditions that can be triggered through crafted protocol messages or connection attempts, effectively allowing attackers to interrupt normal network operations and service availability.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-42399 extends beyond simple service interruption, as it can result in complete network partitioning and loss of wireless connectivity for legitimate users. When exploited successfully, these vulnerabilities can cause the affected access point to crash, restart, or become unresponsive, leading to extended downtime that can affect business operations, user productivity, and network reliability. The unauthenticated nature of the attack means that no prior access or credentials are required, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with network access to the affected system.
Organizations utilizing affected wireless infrastructure should prioritize immediate remediation through official vendor patches or firmware updates that address the authentication bypass conditions within the PAPI protocol implementation. Network segmentation strategies should be implemented to isolate affected systems from critical network segments, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect anomalous connection patterns or DoS attack indicators. Security teams should also consider implementing rate limiting and connection throttling mechanisms at network boundaries to mitigate potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-305 authentication bypass weaknesses and maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network disruption attacks, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security controls to prevent unauthorized access and maintain operational continuity in wireless network environments.