CVE-2025-37103: HPE Networking Access Point Auth Bypass

CVE-2025-37103 Overview

CVE-2025-37103 is a hardcoded credentials vulnerability affecting HPE Networking Instant On Access Points. Hard-coded login credentials were found in the affected devices, allowing anyone with knowledge of them to bypass normal device authentication. Successful exploitation could allow a remote attacker to gain administrative access to the system without requiring any prior authentication or user interaction.

Critical Impact

Remote attackers can leverage hard-coded credentials to gain full administrative access to HPE Networking Instant On Access Points, potentially compromising network infrastructure and connected devices.

Affected Products

• HPE Networking Instant On Access Points

Discovery Timeline

• July 8, 2025 - CVE-2025-37103 published to NVD
• July 10, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-37103

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-798 (Use of Hard-coded Credentials), a critical security weakness where authentication credentials are embedded directly in device firmware or software. The presence of hard-coded credentials in HPE Networking Instant On Access Points creates a severe security risk because these credentials cannot be changed by end users and remain constant across all deployed devices of the same model or firmware version.

The vulnerability enables network-based attacks without requiring any prior privileges or user interaction. An attacker who discovers or reverse-engineers these embedded credentials can authenticate to any vulnerable access point remotely, gaining complete administrative control over the device. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in network infrastructure equipment because compromised access points can be used as pivot points for broader network attacks, traffic interception, or persistent access to corporate environments.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-37103 is the inclusion of static, unchangeable authentication credentials within the HPE Networking Instant On Access Point firmware. This design flaw violates secure development practices by embedding secrets that should be unique and user-configurable into the device's codebase. Once these credentials are discovered through reverse engineering, public disclosure, or other means, all devices running the vulnerable firmware become equally exploitable.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for CVE-2025-37103 is network-based, meaning an attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely without physical access to the device. The attack requires no privileges and no user interaction, making it highly exploitable in scenarios where:

1. The access point's management interface is exposed to the network
2. The attacker has network connectivity to the vulnerable device
3. The hard-coded credentials have been discovered or shared publicly

Once authenticated using the hard-coded credentials, an attacker gains administrative access, enabling them to modify device configurations, intercept network traffic, create rogue access points, or use the compromised device as a launchpad for further attacks within the network.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-37103

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected administrative login sessions to HPE Networking Instant On Access Points from unrecognized IP addresses
• Configuration changes to access point settings without authorized administrator activity
• Unusual authentication attempts using default or known credential patterns in device logs
• Network traffic anomalies originating from or passing through access point management interfaces

Detection Strategies

• Monitor authentication logs on HPE Networking Instant On Access Points for successful logins from unexpected sources or during unusual hours
• Implement network segmentation and monitor traffic to access point management interfaces for unauthorized access attempts
• Deploy network-based intrusion detection systems (IDS) to identify authentication patterns associated with hard-coded credential usage
• Conduct regular firmware version audits to identify devices running vulnerable firmware versions

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable comprehensive logging on all HPE Networking Instant On Access Points and forward logs to a centralized SIEM solution
• Configure alerts for administrative access events, particularly from external or unexpected network segments
• Establish baseline access patterns for legitimate administrators and alert on deviations
• Regularly review access point configurations for unauthorized modifications

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-37103

Immediate Actions Required

• Review the HPE Security Bulletin for specific affected firmware versions and available patches
• Inventory all HPE Networking Instant On Access Points in your environment to identify vulnerable devices
• Restrict network access to access point management interfaces using firewall rules and network segmentation
• Implement additional authentication layers or VPN requirements for administrative access to network infrastructure

Patch Information

HPE has released a security bulletin addressing this vulnerability. Organizations should consult the HPE Security Bulletin for detailed patch information, affected firmware versions, and upgrade instructions. Apply firmware updates as soon as they become available for your specific access point models.

Workarounds

• Isolate access point management interfaces on a dedicated management VLAN inaccessible from general network segments
• Implement strict access control lists (ACLs) to limit management interface access to specific administrator workstations
• Deploy network monitoring to detect and alert on any authentication attempts to access point management interfaces
• Consider disabling remote management capabilities until patches can be applied, if operationally feasible

# Example: Restrict management access via firewall (adjust for your environment)
# Block external access to common management ports on access point subnet
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp -d 10.0.1.0/24 --dport 22 -j DROP
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp -d 10.0.1.0/24 --dport 443 -j DROP
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp -d 10.0.1.0/24 --dport 80 -j DROP
# Allow only from authorized management hosts
iptables -I INPUT -s 10.0.100.10 -p tcp -d 10.0.1.0/24 --dport 443 -j ACCEPT