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CVE-2021-25148

8.1 HIGH

📋 TL;DR

This CVE allows remote attackers to modify arbitrary files on affected Aruba Instant Access Points (IAPs) without authentication. The vulnerability affects multiple Aruba IAP product lines running vulnerable firmware versions. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:
  • Aruba Instant Access Point (IAP)
Versions: Aruba Instant 6.5.x: 6.5.4.17 and below; Aruba Instant 8.3.x: 8.3.0.13 and below; Aruba Instant 8.5.x: 8.5.0.10 and below; Aruba Instant 8.6.x: 8.6.0.4 and below
Operating Systems: ArubaOS (Instant)
Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes
Notes: All affected versions are vulnerable in default configurations. The vulnerability exists in the web management interface.

📦 What is this software?

Instant by Arubanetworks

View all CVEs affecting Instant →

Instant by Arubanetworks

View all CVEs affecting Instant →

Instant by Arubanetworks

View all CVEs affecting Instant →

Instant by Arubanetworks

View all CVEs affecting Instant →

Scalance W1750d Firmware by Siemens

View all CVEs affecting Scalance W1750d Firmware →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete system takeover, installation of persistent backdoors, credential theft, and lateral movement within the network.

🟠

Likely Case

Unauthorized configuration changes, service disruption, and potential credential harvesting from modified system files.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact with proper network segmentation and access controls, potentially only affecting isolated IAP management interfaces.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH - Remote unauthenticated exploitation allows attackers to directly target exposed IAP management interfaces.
🏢 Internal Only: HIGH - Even internally, the vulnerability can be exploited by any network-adjacent attacker without authentication.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No
Weaponized: UNKNOWN
Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes
Complexity: LOW

The vulnerability requires no authentication and has a high CVSS score, making it attractive for exploitation. No public exploit code has been confirmed.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Aruba Instant 6.5.4.18+, 8.3.0.14+, 8.5.0.11+, 8.6.0.5+

Vendor Advisory: https://www.arubanetworks.com/assets/alert/ARUBA-PSA-2021-007.txt

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Download the patched firmware from Aruba support portal. 2. Backup current configuration. 3. Upload and install the firmware via web interface or CLI. 4. Reboot the access point. 5. Verify the new firmware version is running.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Network Segmentation

all

Restrict access to IAP management interfaces to trusted administrative networks only

Access Control Lists

all

Implement firewall rules to block external access to IAP management ports (typically TCP 80/443)

🧯 If You Can't Patch

  • Isolate affected IAPs in a dedicated VLAN with strict access controls
  • Monitor network traffic to IAP management interfaces for suspicious activity

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check the firmware version via web interface (System > About) or CLI command 'show version'

Check Version:

show version | include "Instant"

Verify Fix Applied:

Confirm firmware version is patched: 6.5.4.18+, 8.3.0.14+, 8.5.0.11+, or 8.6.0.5+

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

  • Unauthorized file modification attempts in system logs
  • Unexpected configuration changes
  • Failed authentication attempts to management interface

Network Indicators:

  • Unusual traffic patterns to IAP management ports
  • HTTP requests attempting file write operations

SIEM Query:

source="aruba-iap" AND (event_type="file_modification" OR http_uri CONTAINS "write" OR http_method="POST" TO "/api/")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2021-25148
CVSS v3 Score: 8.1 (HIGH)
CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H
Published: March 30, 2021
Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

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