CVE-2024-25613: Arubanetworks ArubaOS RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2024-25613 Overview

CVE-2024-25613 is an authenticated command injection vulnerability in the ArubaOS command line interface (CLI). An attacker with privileged CLI access can inject arbitrary operating system commands through vulnerable CLI parameters. Successful exploitation results in arbitrary command execution as a privileged user on the underlying operating system.

The flaw is tracked under CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command. Aruba Networks published details in the Aruba Networks Security Alert ARUBA-PSA-2024-002.

Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers with privileged CLI access can execute arbitrary OS commands on ArubaOS controllers and gateways, leading to full device compromise.

Affected Products

Aruba Networks ArubaOS (multiple versions covered by ARUBA-PSA-2024-002)
ArubaOS-based Mobility Conductors and Mobility Controllers
ArubaOS-based WLAN Gateways and SD-WAN Gateways managed by Aruba Central

Discovery Timeline

2024-03-05 - CVE-2024-25613 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-25613

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the ArubaOS command line interface. Specific CLI commands fail to properly neutralize special shell metacharacters before passing user-supplied input into operating system command invocations. An authenticated user with elevated CLI privileges can append or embed shell commands that are then executed by the underlying OS with elevated privileges.

Because ArubaOS runs on network infrastructure devices, arbitrary command execution grants control over routing, wireless traffic, and management-plane services. Attackers can pivot into managed network segments, extract configuration secrets, tamper with logs, or maintain persistence on the controller.

Exploitation requires network access to the management interface and valid privileged credentials. That prerequisite reduces exposure to opportunistic attacks but not to insider threats or scenarios in which credentials have been previously compromised. The Aruba Networks Security Alert enumerates the affected CLI paths and fixed versions.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper input neutralization in CLI command handlers. User-supplied arguments are concatenated into shell command strings without adequate escaping or allowlist validation. This pattern is characteristic of CWE-77 and permits shell metacharacters such as ;, |, &, and backticks to break out of the intended command context.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based access to the ArubaOS management interface, typically SSH or a web-based CLI. The attacker must first authenticate with privileged credentials. Once authenticated, the attacker issues a crafted CLI command containing embedded shell syntax. The vulnerable handler passes the tainted input to the OS shell, which executes the injected payload with the privileges of the CLI process.

No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available. Refer to the vendor advisory for the specific vulnerable CLI commands.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-25613

Indicators of Compromise

CLI command history entries containing shell metacharacters such as ;, |, &&, $(, or backticks in unexpected argument positions
Unexpected child processes spawned by the ArubaOS management daemon on the controller
Outbound network connections from the controller management plane to unfamiliar hosts
Modifications to system files, startup scripts, or user accounts on the ArubaOS device

Detection Strategies

Enable and centrally forward ArubaOS CLI command audit logs to a SIEM for pattern matching against shell metacharacters in command arguments
Alert on successful privileged CLI logins from unusual source IP addresses or outside change windows
Correlate CLI session activity with configuration changes and system process telemetry to identify deviations from operator baselines

Monitoring Recommendations

Ingest ArubaOS syslog, TACACS+, and RADIUS accounting into the Singularity Data Lake for long-term retention and correlation with endpoint and identity telemetry
Monitor privileged account use on network devices and alert on lateral movement following administrative logins
Review authentication logs regularly for stale or shared administrative accounts that could be leveraged post-compromise

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-25613

Immediate Actions Required

Apply the ArubaOS patches listed in ARUBA-PSA-2024-002 to all affected controllers, gateways, and Mobility Conductors
Restrict management interface access to a dedicated, segmented administrative network
Rotate privileged ArubaOS credentials and enforce multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts
Audit existing administrative accounts and remove unused or shared credentials

Patch Information

Aruba Networks released fixed ArubaOS versions in the ARUBA-PSA-2024-002 advisory. Administrators should consult the advisory for the exact fixed version corresponding to their ArubaOS train and upgrade accordingly.

Workarounds

Enable enhanced CLI security mode (cli-ssh-max-sessions and role-based access control) to limit which accounts can reach vulnerable CLI paths
Restrict management-plane access using ACLs so that only trusted jump hosts can initiate SSH or HTTPS sessions to ArubaOS devices
Disable unused administrative services and interfaces on the controller until patches are applied

bash

# Restrict ArubaOS management access to a trusted subnet
ip access-list session mgmt-restrict
  user host 10.10.10.0 255.255.255.0 any permit
  user any any deny
!
interface vlan 1
  ip access-group mgmt-restrict session