CVE-2026-76737 in Instant On
Summary
by MITRE • 09/29/2026
An authenticated path traversal vulnerability exists in the command line interface of HPE Networking Instant On. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker with administrative access to modify a limited set of files on the underlying operating system and to interrupt the normal operation of the affected service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2026
The identified security flaw resides within the command line interface of HPE Networking Instant On, specifically manifesting as an authenticated path traversal vulnerability. This type of defect typically arises when software fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input before using it in file system operations. In this context, although the attacker is required to possess administrative credentials to initiate the attack, the underlying mechanism allows for the manipulation of directory paths through special characters such as dot-dot-slash sequences. This oversight enables the traversal outside of intended directories, effectively bypassing access controls that are designed to restrict file modifications to specific, safe locations within the operating system's hierarchy.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory. The core issue is not necessarily an authentication failure but rather a logic error in how the application processes path inputs after successful login. By exploiting this flaw, an attacker can direct write operations or file modifications toward arbitrary locations on the underlying operating system. This capability significantly expands the scope of potential damage beyond what would be expected from standard administrative functions, as it allows for the alteration of configuration files, scripts, or other critical system components that are not typically accessible through normal operational channels.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial due to the high privilege level required and granted during exploitation. Since an attacker with administrative access can modify a limited set of files on the underlying operating system, they may be able to disrupt the normal operation of affected services. This could lead to service outages, data corruption, or the creation of persistent backdoors if malicious scripts are injected into executable directories. Furthermore, by altering critical configuration files, an attacker might degrade the security posture of the network infrastructure managed by the device, potentially facilitating further lateral movement within a corporate network environment.
This scenario aligns with several tactics in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to Defense Evasion and Persistence. The ability to modify system files can be leveraged for T1074: Data Staged or T1562: Impair Defenses by disabling security logging or altering firewall rules. Additionally, if the modified files include startup scripts or configuration daemons, it could facilitate T1053: Scheduled Task/Job or T1543: Create or Modify System Process to maintain access even after reboots. The presence of administrative privileges means that the attacker operates with a high degree of trust from the system, making detection by standard security monitoring tools more challenging unless specific file integrity monitoring is in place.
Mitigation strategies should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. First, it is critical to apply any available vendor patches or firmware updates that address this path traversal flaw immediately upon release. In environments where patching is not instantly feasible, network segmentation can help isolate the affected devices from sensitive internal resources, limiting the blast radius of a potential compromise. Additionally, implementing strict input validation on all command line interfaces and file system operations is essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future software versions. Security teams should also enhance monitoring for unusual file modifications within critical directories associated with the device's operating system, ensuring that any unauthorized changes are detected and responded to promptly. Regular audits of administrative access logs can further aid in identifying potential exploitation attempts before significant damage occurs.