CVE-2024-54007 in Aruba Networking 501 Wireless Client Bridge
Summary
by MITRE • 01/07/2025
Multiple command injection vulnerabilities exist in the web interface of the 501 Wireless Client Bridge which could lead to authenticated remote command execution. Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities result in the ability of an attacker to execute arbitrary commands as a privileged user on the underlying operating system. Exploitation requires administrative authentication credentials on the host system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2025
The CVE-2024-54007 vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw affecting the web interface of 501 Wireless Client Bridge devices. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-77 which specifically addresses command injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into system commands without proper validation or sanitization. The affected device operates with a web-based management interface that processes user inputs through HTTP requests, creating an attack surface where maliciously crafted parameters can be executed as system commands. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the web application layer, allowing attackers to inject operating system commands directly into the device's command execution pipeline.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability enables authenticated remote command execution through specifically crafted web requests that bypass normal input validation controls. When administrative credentials are presented, the web interface processes user-supplied parameters without adequate sanitization, allowing command injection payloads to be interpreted and executed by the underlying operating system. This creates a privilege escalation scenario where an attacker with administrative access can execute arbitrary commands with the highest privileges available on the device. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application layer of the device's web interface, meaning that exploitation does not require physical access or specialized equipment beyond network connectivity and valid administrative credentials. The attack vector typically involves sending malicious payloads through HTTP POST or GET parameters that are then processed by system command execution functions within the device firmware.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to network infrastructure security as it allows attackers to gain full control over the affected wireless client bridge devices. Once exploited, attackers can execute commands that may include system reconnaissance, network scanning, data exfiltration, or even deployment of additional malicious payloads. The device's role as a wireless client bridge means that successful exploitation could potentially provide attackers with access to the internal network segments that the device connects to, creating lateral movement opportunities within the network infrastructure. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter, and T1068 which addresses exploit for privilege escalation. The impact extends beyond individual device compromise to potentially affect entire network segments if multiple devices are vulnerable and interconnected.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-54007 should focus on immediate patching of the affected firmware versions, along with network segmentation and access control measures. Organizations should implement strict administrative credential management practices, including regular credential rotation and multi-factor authentication where possible. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns or anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and sanitization practices in web application development, aligning with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Device administrators should also consider implementing network access controls to limit administrative access to only trusted networks and IP addresses. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar command injection vulnerabilities in other network infrastructure components, as this class of vulnerability remains prevalent in embedded systems and network devices. The remediation process must include thorough testing of patches to ensure that security updates do not introduce compatibility issues with existing network configurations.