CVE-2024-31475
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to delete arbitrary files on Aruba Access Points through the Central Communications service via PAPI. Successful exploitation can disrupt operations and compromise system integrity. Affected systems include Aruba Access Points running vulnerable versions of the Central Communications service.
💻 Affected Systems
- Aruba Access Points with Central Communications service
📦 What is this software?
Arubaos by Arubanetworks
Arubaos by Arubanetworks
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise through deletion of critical system files, rendering the access point inoperable and requiring physical replacement.
Likely Case
Service disruption through deletion of configuration or operational files, causing network outages and requiring administrative intervention.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if network segmentation prevents access to PAPI service and proper authentication controls are in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires network access to PAPI service but no authentication based on CWE-463 (Deletion of Data Structure Sentinel).
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Versions specified in ARUBA-PSA-2024-006 advisory
Vendor Advisory: https://www.arubanetworks.com/assets/alert/ARUBA-PSA-2024-006.txt
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Review ARUBA-PSA-2024-006 advisory. 2. Download appropriate firmware update from Aruba support portal. 3. Apply update following Aruba's firmware upgrade procedures. 4. Restart affected access points.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict PAPI Access
linuxLimit network access to PAPI service using firewall rules or network segmentation.
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport <PAPI_PORT> -s <TRUSTED_NETWORK> -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport <PAPI_PORT> -j DROP
Disable Unnecessary Services
allDisable PAPI service if not required for operations.
Check Aruba documentation for service disable commands specific to your AP model
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network segmentation to isolate access points from untrusted networks
- Deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for PAPI exploitation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check firmware version against affected versions in ARUBA-PSA-2024-006 advisoryCheck Version:
show version (via Aruba AP CLI)Verify Fix Applied:
Confirm firmware version is updated to patched version specified in advisory📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected file deletion events in system logs
- PAPI service access from unauthorized sources
Network Indicators:
- Unusual PAPI protocol traffic patterns
- Multiple file deletion requests via PAPI
SIEM Query:
source="aruba_ap_logs" AND (event_type="file_deletion" OR protocol="PAPI")