CVE-2026-76698 in EdgeConnect SD-WAN Gateways
Summary
by MITRE • 09/15/2026
A command injection vulnerability exists in the web-based management interface of HPE Networking EdgeConnect SD-WAN Gateways. An authenticated remote attacker with limited access privileges could exploit this vulnerability through specially crafted input. Successful exploitation, under certain conditions, could result in the execution of arbitrary commands with elevated privileges or a denial-of-service condition on the affected appliance.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2026
The identified security flaw resides within the web-based management interface of HPE Networking EdgeConnect SD-WAN Gateways and is classified as a command injection vulnerability. This type of weakness typically arises when an application constructs operating system commands using user-supplied input without adequate validation or sanitization. In this specific instance, the vulnerability allows for the execution of arbitrary commands on the underlying host system. The presence of this flaw indicates that the software fails to properly neutralize special elements that could be interpreted by a shell as part of its command syntax, thereby allowing an attacker to inject and execute unintended instructions within the context of the application process.
A critical aspect of this vulnerability is the authentication requirement for exploitation. Unlike remote code execution flaws that can be triggered anonymously, this specific issue requires an authenticated remote attacker with limited access privileges to initiate the attack vector. This distinction places the risk profile in a different category compared to unauthenticated exploits, as it necessitates prior compromise or theft of credentials for lower-privileged accounts within the management interface. However, even with restricted user rights, the ability to inject commands represents a significant escalation path if those limited privileges are sufficient to access specific endpoints or functions that interact directly with system-level processes without proper input filtering mechanisms in place.
The operational impact of successful exploitation is severe and multifaceted. Under certain conditions, an attacker can achieve remote code execution with elevated privileges. This means that the commands injected by the attacker would run under a higher security context than the authenticated user account itself, potentially granting access to sensitive system files, configuration data, or network configurations. Furthermore, the vulnerability can be leveraged to cause a denial-of-service condition on the affected appliance. By injecting malformed inputs or resource-intensive commands, an adversary could crash the management interface service or exhaust system resources, rendering the SD-WAN gateway unavailable for legitimate administrative tasks and disrupting network connectivity managed by that device.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-78, which covers Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command, commonly known as OS Command Injection. The exploitation technique involves manipulating input fields to alter the intended command structure, allowing for arbitrary code execution or service disruption. In terms of tactical mapping within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this behavior corresponds to techniques involving Command and Scripting Interpreter abuse, specifically where attackers use injected commands to execute actions on remote systems. This falls under broader categories such as Execution via User Interface or potentially Privilege Escalation if the elevated privileges are successfully obtained through the injection mechanism.
Mitigation strategies must focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary defense is for vendors to release a patched version of the firmware that addresses the input validation logic within the web management interface. Administrators should apply these updates as soon as they become available from HPE support channels. In addition to patching, network segmentation plays a crucial role in limiting exposure. Since this vulnerability requires authentication and remote access, ensuring that the management interfaces are not exposed directly to untrusted networks is essential. Access control lists should restrict management port connectivity to only authorized administrative subnets. Furthermore, implementing multi-factor authentication for all user accounts adds an additional layer of security, reducing the likelihood that limited-privilege credentials will be compromised by external threat actors seeking to exploit this command injection flaw.