CVE-2026-63454 in AOS-CX
Summary
by MITRE • 07/21/2026
An authenticated path traversal vulnerability exists in AOS-CX. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to copy arbitrary files to a user readable location from the command line interface of the underlying operating system, which could lead to remote code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/22/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical path traversal flaw in AOS-CX network operating systems that enables authenticated attackers to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code remotely. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the command line interface where user-supplied paths are not properly sanitized before being processed by the underlying operating system. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious file paths that bypass normal directory restrictions, allowing them to copy sensitive system files to locations accessible through standard user interfaces.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves manipulation of file path parameters within the command line interface to traverse parent directories and access restricted filesystem areas. When authenticated users submit commands containing specially crafted paths, the system fails to validate whether these paths remain within designated boundaries, creating opportunities for attackers to reference files outside intended directories. This flaw operates at the operating system level where standard file access controls are bypassed through improper path resolution mechanisms.
From an operational impact perspective, successful exploitation enables attackers to achieve remote code execution capabilities by copying malicious binaries or scripts to accessible locations within the system filesystem. The vulnerability's authenticated nature requires initial access credentials but does not demand elevated privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by insiders or compromised accounts to gain deeper system access. This path traversal vulnerability directly violates security principles of least privilege and input validation, allowing unauthorized file operations that could compromise entire network infrastructure.
The attack vector aligns with common exploitation patterns documented in the attack mitigation framework where command injection vulnerabilities are often chained with privilege escalation techniques. According to attack tactics and techniques, this scenario demonstrates how authenticated access can be leveraged to achieve remote code execution through indirect system manipulation, representing a significant threat to network security operations. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to industry standards such as CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-74 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component.
Organizations must implement immediate mitigations including comprehensive input validation for all command line parameters, strict path resolution controls, and enhanced monitoring of file system operations. Network segmentation and principle of least privilege enforcement can limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments should verify proper implementation of path validation mechanisms and ensure that all user-supplied inputs undergo rigorous sanitization before being processed by underlying operating system functions.