CVE-2024-54010: HPE Aruba CX 10000 Auth Bypass Vulnerability

CVE-2024-54010 Overview

A vulnerability exists in the firewall component of HPE Aruba Networking CX 10000 Series Switches that could allow an unauthenticated adjacent attacker to conduct a packet forwarding attack against the ICMP and UDP protocols. This authorization bypass flaw (CWE-863) enables attackers to circumvent security policies when the switch is configured to allow layer 3 packet routing.

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to bypass firewall security policies, potentially leading to unauthorized data exposure on network segments protected by the affected switches.

Affected Products

• HPE Aruba Networking CX 10000 Series Switches (with layer 3 routing enabled)
• Configurations that allow packets routing at layer 3
• Network deployments using ICMP and UDP protocols through affected switches

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-01-08 - CVE-2024-54010 published to NVD
• 2025-01-31 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-54010

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability represents an authorization bypass issue (CWE-863: Incorrect Authorization) in the firewall component of HPE Aruba Networking CX 10000 Series Switches. The flaw specifically affects ICMP and UDP protocol handling when the switch is configured to perform layer 3 routing operations.

The attack requires the attacker to be on an adjacent network segment, making it a local network threat rather than a remotely exploitable vulnerability. The attack complexity is considered high, requiring specific network conditions and switch configurations to be successful. Importantly, configurations that do not allow network traffic routing at layer 3 are not impacted by this vulnerability.

When successfully exploited, an attacker can forward packets that should otherwise be blocked by the firewall policies, potentially exposing sensitive data to unauthorized parties. The scope of the vulnerability is changed, meaning the impact can extend beyond the vulnerable component itself to affect other network resources.

Root Cause

The root cause lies in improper authorization checks within the firewall component when processing ICMP and UDP packets in layer 3 routing configurations. The firewall fails to properly enforce security policies under certain packet forwarding conditions, allowing malformed or crafted packets to bypass intended access controls.

Attack Vector

The attack vector requires adjacent network access, meaning the attacker must be on the same network segment or have direct network connectivity to the vulnerable switch. The attack does not require authentication or user interaction, but does require specific switch configurations that enable layer 3 routing.

The attacker can craft ICMP or UDP packets designed to exploit the authorization flaw, causing the firewall to forward traffic that should be blocked according to configured security policies. This could be used to access network resources or exfiltrate data across network boundaries that should be protected by the switch's firewall.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-54010

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected ICMP or UDP traffic traversing network boundaries that should be blocked by firewall policies
• Anomalous packet forwarding patterns in CX 10000 Series Switch logs
• Traffic from unauthorized sources appearing on protected network segments

Detection Strategies

• Monitor switch logs for unusual ICMP and UDP traffic patterns that violate expected firewall behavior
• Implement network flow analysis to detect traffic crossing security boundaries that should be blocked
• Deploy network intrusion detection systems to identify potential bypass attempts on adjacent network segments

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging on HPE Aruba CX 10000 Series Switches for firewall rule hits and packet forwarding events
• Configure alerts for unexpected ICMP and UDP traffic patterns in network monitoring tools
• Regularly audit firewall policies and compare against actual traffic flows to identify discrepancies

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-54010

Immediate Actions Required

• Review HPE Aruba security advisory hpesbnw04772 for affected firmware versions and patch availability
• Assess current switch configurations to determine if layer 3 routing is enabled and required
• Implement additional network segmentation or access controls as compensating measures until patches are applied

Patch Information

HPE Aruba Networking has released security guidance for this vulnerability. Organizations should consult the HPE Support Document and the Aruba Networks CSAF Advisory for detailed patch information and affected firmware versions. Apply the recommended firmware updates according to your organization's change management procedures.

Workarounds

• If layer 3 routing is not required, disable routing functionality on affected switches to eliminate the attack surface
• Implement additional access control lists (ACLs) at network boundaries to filter ICMP and UDP traffic
• Deploy network segmentation to limit adjacent network access to the vulnerable switches
• Consider implementing additional firewall appliances for critical network boundaries until patches are applied

# Example: Review current routing configuration on CX 10000 switches
# Consult HPE documentation for specific commands
show running-config | include routing
show ip route
show firewall policies