CVE-2025-37132: Arubanetworks ArubaOS RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2025-37132 Overview

CVE-2025-37132 is an arbitrary file write vulnerability in the web-based management interface of HPE Aruba Networking ArubaOS. The flaw affects both AOS-10 Gateway and AOS-8 Controller/Mobility Conductor operating systems. An authenticated attacker with high privileges can upload arbitrary files and execute commands on the underlying operating system. The weakness is classified under [CWE-434] for unrestricted upload of files with dangerous types.

Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can achieve arbitrary command execution on ArubaOS controllers, leading to full compromise of network infrastructure managing wireless and wired access.

Affected Products

HPE Aruba Networking AOS-10 Gateway
HPE Aruba Networking AOS-8 Controller
HPE Aruba Networking AOS-8 Mobility Conductor

Discovery Timeline

2025-10-14 - CVE-2025-37132 published to NVD
2025-11-12 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-37132

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the web-based management interface used to administer ArubaOS controllers and gateways. The interface fails to properly restrict file upload operations, allowing an authenticated attacker to write arbitrary files to the underlying file system. Because the management plane runs with elevated privileges, written files can be leveraged to execute arbitrary commands on the operating system.

Exploitation requires network access to the management interface and valid authenticated credentials with high privileges. Once exploited, the attacker gains code execution at the privilege level of the management service, which typically equates to administrative control over the controller. This enables persistence, lateral movement into the managed wireless infrastructure, and interception of network traffic.

The issue is tracked under [CWE-434] (Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type) and carries an EPSS probability of 0.067%.

Root Cause

The management interface accepts uploaded files without sufficient validation of file type, destination path, or content. This permits an authorized user to place attacker-controlled files in locations where they can be interpreted or executed by the operating system.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based against the ArubaOS management interface. The attacker must already hold authenticated, high-privileged access. After authenticating, the actor abuses the file upload functionality to drop a payload, then triggers execution through the writable path. No user interaction is required.

No public proof-of-concept exploit is currently available. Refer to the HPE Aruba Networking security advisory for technical details and affected version ranges.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-37132

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected file uploads or POST requests to ArubaOS management interface endpoints from administrative accounts.
New or modified files in system directories on the controller that do not correspond to a vendor update.
Unusual command execution or shell activity originating from the management interface process.
Administrative logins from unfamiliar source IP addresses preceding configuration changes.

Detection Strategies

Audit ArubaOS web management logs for file upload operations and correlate with the authenticating account and source address.
Inspect controller syslog for unexpected process spawning, configuration writes, or filesystem changes outside maintenance windows.
Compare running configuration and on-disk binaries against vendor-supplied baselines to identify tampering.

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward ArubaOS authentication, audit, and management plane logs to a centralized SIEM or data lake for correlation.
Alert on privileged administrative logins outside approved jump hosts or management VLANs.
Monitor north-south traffic to controller management interfaces for anomalous upload sizes or content types.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-37132

Immediate Actions Required

Apply the fixed ArubaOS firmware versions listed in the HPE Aruba Networking advisory as the primary remediation.
Restrict access to the ArubaOS web-based management interface to a dedicated management network and trusted jump hosts.
Rotate credentials for all privileged ArubaOS administrative accounts and enforce multi-factor authentication where supported.
Review recent administrative activity for signs of file upload abuse prior to patching.

Patch Information

HPE Aruba Networking has released firmware updates addressing CVE-2025-37132. Consult the HPE Aruba Networking Security Advisory hpesbnw04957en_us for the complete list of fixed versions across AOS-10 Gateway and AOS-8 Controller/Mobility Conductor branches.

Workarounds

Disable or firewall the web-based management interface from untrusted networks until patching is complete.
Limit administrative role assignments to the minimum number of operators required for daily operations.
Enforce strict network ACLs to allow management plane access only from designated administrative subnets.

bash

# Example: restrict ArubaOS management access to a trusted subnet
firewall
  ip access-list session mgmt-restrict
    user host 10.10.0.0 255.255.255.0 svc-https permit
    user any svc-https deny
  !
  apply access-list session mgmt-restrict to mgmt-interface