CVE-2024-54010 in AOS-CX
Summary
by MITRE • 01/08/2025
A vulnerability in the firewall component of HPE Aruba Networking CX 10000 Series Switches exists. It could allow an unauthenticated adjacent attacker to conduct a packet forwarding attack against the ICMP and UDP protocol. For this attack to be successful an attacker requires a switch configuration that allows packets routing (at layer 3). Configurations that do not allow network traffic routing are not impacted. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to bypass security policies, potentially leading to unauthorized data exposure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-54010 affects the firewall component of HPE Aruba Networking CX 10000 Series Switches, representing a significant security weakness that could be exploited by adjacent attackers. This flaw specifically targets the packet forwarding mechanisms within the switch's firewall functionality, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate network traffic flows. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution risk when combined with proper network configuration, as it allows for bypassing established security policies that are designed to protect against unauthorized network access. The attack vector requires physical proximity to the affected switch, making it an adjacent attack rather than a remote one, yet the potential impact remains severe due to the privileged network access that could be gained.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of packet forwarding within the switch's layer 3 routing capabilities. When the switch is configured to allow network traffic routing, the firewall component fails to properly validate incoming ICMP and UDP packets, creating a pathway for malicious packet manipulation. This flaw directly relates to CWE-119 which describes improper restriction of operations within a limited access scope, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol: DNS, where network traffic can be manipulated to bypass security controls. The vulnerability specifically impacts the switch's ability to properly filter and forward packets, allowing an attacker to craft malicious packets that can traverse the network without proper authentication or authorization checks.
The operational impact of successful exploitation of CVE-2024-54010 could result in complete bypass of network security policies that are typically enforced by the switch's firewall functionality. An attacker could potentially redirect network traffic to unauthorized destinations, create unauthorized access points, or establish man-in-the-middle positions within the network. The implications extend beyond simple packet forwarding manipulation as this vulnerability could enable broader network reconnaissance activities, allowing attackers to map network topology and identify sensitive systems. Organizations relying on these switches for network segmentation and security enforcement would face significant risk of data exposure, particularly in environments where network access control is critical for maintaining security boundaries.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-54010 should focus on both immediate configuration changes and long-term architectural improvements. Network administrators should first verify their switch configurations to ensure that routing capabilities are only enabled where absolutely necessary, as configurations that do not allow network traffic routing are not impacted by this vulnerability. Implementing additional network segmentation measures and deploying network access control lists can provide defense-in-depth protection against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect unusual packet forwarding patterns or unauthorized routing activities. The ATT&CK framework suggests implementing network traffic analysis capabilities as a countermeasure, while CWE guidelines recommend proper input validation and access control implementation to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in future network infrastructure deployments. Regular firmware updates and security assessments should be conducted to maintain protection against evolving threats targeting network infrastructure components.