CVE-2026-76694 in EdgeConnect SD-WAN Gateways
Summary
by MITRE • 09/15/2026
A privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the command line interface of HPE Networking EdgeConnect SD-WAN Gateways. Successful exploitation could allow an authenticated remote attacker with high privileges to escalate privileges beyond their authorized level, and execute arbitrary code on a vulnerable system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2026
The identified security flaw resides within the command line interface subsystem of Hewlett Packard Enterprise Networking EdgeConnect Software-Defined Wide Area Network gateways. This specific vulnerability is classified as a privilege escalation defect that permits an attacker to bypass intended access controls and assume higher levels of authority than originally granted by system administrators. The core technical issue stems from insufficient validation or improper handling of command inputs within the CLI processing logic, allowing for the execution of privileged operations under conditions where such actions should be restricted based on the user's current role. This architectural weakness effectively undermines the principle of least privilege, which is fundamental to secure network device configuration and operation.
Successful exploitation requires an authenticated remote attacker who already possesses high-level privileges within the system. While this prerequisite limits the attack surface compared to unauthenticated exploits, it remains a critical risk because insider threats or compromised administrative accounts can leverage this flaw to gain root or equivalent superuser access. Once escalated, the attacker gains unrestricted control over the underlying operating system and network services hosted on the gateway. This level of access allows for the execution of arbitrary code with full system privileges, enabling the modification of firewall rules, interception of traffic, installation of persistent backdoors, or complete compromise of the SD-WAN infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to the central role that EdgeConnect gateways play in modern enterprise networks as secure access service edge points and traffic routing hubs. Compromise at this level can lead to a total breach of network integrity, allowing attackers to pivot laterally into internal corporate segments protected by these devices. It also poses significant risks to data confidentiality and availability, as the attacker could exfiltrate sensitive information or disrupt critical business operations by manipulating routing policies and security configurations. The ability to execute arbitrary code further exacerbates the threat landscape by facilitating the deployment of malware such as ransomware or cryptominers directly onto network infrastructure hardware.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-269 Improper Privilege Management, specifically where an actor is able to elevate privileges beyond their authorized level through flawed access control mechanisms in software components. In terms of adversary behavior mapping according to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this flaw facilitates techniques associated with Lateral Movement and Defense Evasion, as attackers can use elevated permissions to disable security logging or modify system configurations to maintain persistence without detection. Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate application of vendor-provided patches that address the CLI input validation logic. Additionally, organizations must enforce strict access control policies by limiting high-privilege account usage to essential administrative tasks only and implementing multi-factor authentication for all remote management interfaces. Regular auditing of user activity logs is also recommended to detect any unauthorized privilege escalation attempts or anomalous command executions indicative of exploitation in progress.