CVE-2026-44857: Arubanetworks ArubaOS Buffer Overflow Flaw

CVE-2026-44857 Overview

CVE-2026-44857 describes stack-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities [CWE-121] in several underlying management service components accessed through the command-line interface (CLI) of HPE Aruba Networking AOS-8 and AOS-10 operating systems. An authenticated attacker holding administrative privileges can send specially crafted requests to the affected services to corrupt stack memory. Successful exploitation allows arbitrary code execution with elevated privileges on the underlying operating system, enabling the attacker to break out of the restricted CLI and gain control of the network device.

Critical Impact

An authenticated administrator can execute arbitrary code with elevated OS-level privileges on AOS-8 and AOS-10 devices, escaping the CLI sandbox and compromising the integrity of network infrastructure.

Affected Products

• HPE Aruba Networking AOS-8 Operating System
• HPE Aruba Networking AOS-10 Operating System
• HPE Aruba Networking SD-WAN

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-05-12 - CVE-2026-44857 published to the National Vulnerability Database
• 2026-05-14 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-44857

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in multiple management service components reachable through the AOS-8 and AOS-10 CLI. These components fail to validate the length of user-supplied input before copying it into fixed-size stack buffers. An authenticated attacker with administrative credentials can pass oversized arguments to specific CLI commands, overflowing the stack frame.

A controlled stack overflow can overwrite the saved return address or adjacent stack data. This grants the attacker the ability to redirect execution flow and run code in the context of the underlying operating system rather than the limited CLI shell. The result is full compromise of the network device beyond the constraints imposed by the management interface.

The issue is classified under [CWE-121: Stack-based Buffer Overflow]. Exploitation requires high privileges (PR:H) but no user interaction, and the impact spans confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing or inadequate bounds checking in command parsing routines within several AOS management services. Input received through the CLI is copied into stack-allocated buffers using unsafe string handling without verifying that the source length fits within the destination buffer.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based through the AOS CLI, which is typically reachable over SSH or serial console. The attacker must first authenticate as an administrator. Once authenticated, the attacker issues a crafted CLI command containing an over-length argument designed to overwrite stack control data. No additional user interaction is required to trigger the overflow.

No public proof-of-concept code is available for this vulnerability. Refer to the HPE Security Advisory for vendor-supplied technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-44857

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected administrative CLI sessions from unusual source IP addresses or outside normal change windows.
• AOS process crashes, restarts, or core dumps in management service components following CLI activity.
• Outbound network connections originating from AOS management daemons to untrusted hosts.
• New or modified files in administrative or configuration directories not associated with a known change.

Detection Strategies

• Audit AOS CLI command history for abnormally long argument strings, non-printable characters, or shellcode-like byte patterns.
• Correlate administrative authentication events with subsequent service restarts or kernel-level anomalies on the device.
• Compare device configuration baselines against running state to detect unauthorized modifications introduced post-exploitation.

Monitoring Recommendations

• Forward AOS syslog, authentication, and AAA accounting logs to a centralized SIEM for retention and correlation.
• Restrict and log all administrative access to management interfaces using TACACS+ or RADIUS with command authorization.
• Alert on repeated failed administrative logins followed by a successful login from the same source.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-44857

Immediate Actions Required

• Apply the fixed AOS-8, AOS-10, and SD-WAN software versions published in the HPE security advisory as soon as possible.
• Rotate administrative credentials on all Aruba devices and revoke any shared or stale management accounts.
• Restrict CLI and management plane access to a dedicated, isolated management VLAN reachable only from trusted jump hosts.

Patch Information

HPE has published fixed software versions and remediation guidance in the HPE Security Advisory (hpesbnw05048en_us). Administrators should review the advisory to identify the specific patched AOS-8, AOS-10, and SD-WAN releases applicable to their deployment and schedule upgrades accordingly.

Workarounds

• Limit administrative access to the smallest possible set of named users and enforce multi-factor authentication on the identity provider front-ending TACACS+ or RADIUS.
• Block CLI management protocols (SSH, HTTPS management) at the network edge so they are reachable only from designated administrative subnets.
• Enable command authorization through AAA so individual privileged commands require explicit policy approval, reducing the attack surface for an authenticated attacker.

# Configuration example: restrict management access to a trusted subnet
configure terminal
 mgmt-user ssh-pubkey ca-cert <trusted-ca>
 ip access-list standard MGMT-ACL
   permit 10.10.10.0 255.255.255.0
   deny any
 control-plane
   ip access-group MGMT-ACL in
 aaa authentication mgmt
   default-role read-only
   server-group TACACS-GRP
   enable
end
write memory