Login Sign Up

CVE-2021-26963

7.2 HIGH
Remote Code Execution

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands on Aruba AirWave Management Platform systems through CLI vulnerabilities. Attackers can gain root access on the underlying operating system, leading to complete system compromise. Organizations running AirWave Management Platform versions prior to 8.2.12.0 are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:
  • Aruba AirWave Management Platform
Versions: All versions prior to 8.2.12.0
Operating Systems: Linux-based OS running AirWave
Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes
Notes: Requires authenticated access to the AirWave CLI interface. Default installations with management interfaces accessible are vulnerable.

📦 What is this software?

Airwave by Arubanetworks

View all CVEs affecting Airwave →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Full system compromise with root access, allowing attackers to steal sensitive data, deploy ransomware, pivot to other systems, or maintain persistent access.

🟠

Likely Case

Privilege escalation from authenticated user to root, enabling data exfiltration, configuration changes, or installation of backdoors.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact if proper network segmentation, least privilege access, and monitoring are in place to detect and contain exploitation attempts.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH if AirWave management interface is exposed to the internet, as authenticated attackers could gain full control remotely.
🏢 Internal Only: HIGH as authenticated internal users or compromised accounts could exploit this to gain root privileges on critical network management systems.

🎯 Exploit Status

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

Exploitation requires authenticated access but is straightforward once authentication is obtained. No public exploit code is known.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 8.2.12.0

Vendor Advisory: https://www.arubanetworks.com/assets/alert/ARUBA-PSA-2021-005.txt

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Download AirWave version 8.2.12.0 or later from Aruba support portal. 2. Backup current configuration. 3. Apply the update following Aruba's upgrade documentation. 4. Restart the AirWave system as required.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict CLI Access

all

Limit access to AirWave CLI interface to only necessary administrative users and systems using network controls.

Implement Strong Authentication

all

Enforce multi-factor authentication and strong password policies for all AirWave administrative accounts.

🧯 If You Can't Patch

  • Isolate AirWave systems in a dedicated management VLAN with strict access controls
  • Implement network segmentation to prevent lateral movement from compromised AirWave systems

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check AirWave version via web interface (Dashboard → About) or CLI command 'show version' and verify if version is below 8.2.12.0.

Check Version:

show version

Verify Fix Applied:

Confirm version is 8.2.12.0 or higher using same methods and verify no unauthorized command execution attempts in logs.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

  • Unusual CLI command execution patterns
  • Root privilege escalation attempts
  • Unauthorized process execution

Network Indicators:

  • Unexpected outbound connections from AirWave systems
  • Anomalous traffic to/from management interfaces

SIEM Query:

source="airwave" AND (event_type="command_execution" OR user="root")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2021-26963
CVSS v3 Score: 7.2 (HIGH)
CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Published: March 5, 2021
Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

📤 Share & Export

📄 Export Markdown 📋 Export JSON