CVE-2024-47460: Aruba Access Point PAPI RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2024-47460 Overview

CVE-2024-47460 is a command injection vulnerability [CWE-77] in the underlying command-line interface (CLI) service used by Aruba Access Points. Attackers can trigger the flaw by sending specially crafted packets to the Process Application Programming Interface (PAPI) UDP port 8211. PAPI is Aruba's proprietary Access Point management protocol. Successful exploitation grants unauthenticated remote code execution as a privileged user on the underlying operating system. HPE published a security advisory addressing this issue along with related Aruba networking flaws.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers reachable on UDP port 8211 can execute arbitrary commands as a privileged operating system user, taking full control of affected Access Points.

Affected Products

HPE Aruba Networking Access Points running affected firmware
Devices exposing the PAPI management protocol on UDP port 8211
Refer to the HPE security advisory for the complete list of affected versions

Discovery Timeline

2024-11-05 - CVE-2024-47460 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2026-04-15 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-47460

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the CLI service running on Aruba Access Points. The service processes management requests received through the PAPI protocol on UDP port 8211. Input received over this channel is incorporated into shell command execution without adequate sanitization. An attacker who can deliver UDP packets to port 8211 can inject operating system commands that execute under the privileges of the CLI service, which runs as a privileged user.

The Exploit Prediction Scoring System places this issue in the 83rd percentile, reflecting elevated likelihood of exploitation activity relative to the broader CVE population. No public proof-of-concept exploit has been confirmed at the time of publication, and the issue is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in a command [CWE-77]. The CLI service constructs shell commands using attacker-controllable fields from PAPI packets and passes them to a command interpreter. Because the service does not validate or escape these inputs, shell metacharacters break out of the intended command context and execute attacker-supplied operations.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based and does not require authentication or user interaction. An attacker with UDP reachability to the management plane sends a crafted PAPI packet to port 8211. The packet contains an embedded command payload that the CLI service evaluates. The scope changes from the CLI service context to the underlying operating system, allowing arbitrary code execution as a privileged user.

No verified exploit code is publicly available. The vulnerability mechanism is documented in the HPE Security Advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-47460

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected inbound UDP traffic to port 8211 from untrusted networks or non-management subnets
Unusual child processes spawned by the CLI service on Aruba Access Points
New or modified accounts, scheduled tasks, or persistence mechanisms on Access Point operating systems
Outbound connections from Access Points to unfamiliar external hosts following PAPI traffic

Detection Strategies

Monitor network flow data for UDP traffic to port 8211 originating from outside designated management VLANs
Inspect packet payloads destined for PAPI for shell metacharacters such as ;, |, &, backticks, or $()
Correlate access point management traffic with subsequent anomalous process or network behavior
Apply intrusion detection signatures targeting PAPI command injection patterns once vendor signatures are available

Monitoring Recommendations

Centralize Access Point system and audit logs and alert on CLI service errors or unexpected restarts
Baseline expected PAPI talker pairs and alert on new source addresses sending UDP/8211 traffic
Track firmware versions across the wireless infrastructure to identify devices that remain unpatched

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-47460

Immediate Actions Required

Apply the firmware updates referenced in the HPE Aruba Networking security advisory to all affected Access Points
Restrict UDP port 8211 so that only trusted management hosts can reach the PAPI service
Audit network segmentation to confirm Access Point management interfaces are not exposed to user VLANs or the internet
Review Access Point logs for signs of prior exploitation attempts and rotate credentials on compromised devices

Patch Information

HPE has released patched firmware versions for affected Aruba Access Points. Consult the HPE Security Advisory for the complete list of fixed releases and upgrade paths. Apply the appropriate firmware update for each deployed model and controller architecture.

Workarounds

Enable cluster security or enhanced PAPI security features that authenticate and encrypt PAPI traffic between Access Points and controllers
Place Access Point management interfaces on a dedicated, isolated management VLAN with strict access control lists
Block UDP port 8211 at network boundaries and on host firewalls where PAPI is not required
Disable any unused remote management services on Access Points to reduce the attack surface

bash

# Example: restrict UDP/8211 (PAPI) to a trusted management subnet
# Replace 10.10.0.0/24 with your actual management network
iptables -A INPUT -p udp --dport 8211 -s 10.10.0.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p udp --dport 8211 -j DROP