CVE-2026-63453: AOS-CX CLI Buffer Overflow RCE Flaw

CVE-2026-63453 Overview

CVE-2026-63453 identifies buffer overflow vulnerabilities in the command line interface (CLI) of HPE Aruba Networking AOS-CX. Successful exploitation allows a remote high-privileged user to execute arbitrary code as a privileged user on the underlying operating system. The flaw is classified under [CWE-120] (Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input) and carries a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2. Because the vulnerability sits in the management CLI, attackers who already hold administrative credentials or who compromise them through other means can pivot from device configuration access to full operating system code execution.

Critical Impact
Authenticated remote attackers with high privileges can execute arbitrary code as a privileged user on the switch operating system, undermining the integrity of the network fabric.

Affected Products

HPE Aruba Networking AOS-CX (see the HPE Security Advisory for the affected version list)
AOS-CX switches exposing the management CLI over network interfaces
Environments where administrative CLI access is delegated to multiple operators

Discovery Timeline

2026-07-21 - CVE-2026-63453 published to NVD
2026-07-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-63453

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the AOS-CX command line interface, the primary administrative surface for configuring HPE Aruba data center and campus switches. Multiple buffer overflow conditions exist in CLI command handlers that copy user-supplied arguments into fixed-size stack or heap buffers without validating input length. An authenticated user with high privileges can craft CLI input that exceeds the target buffer, corrupting adjacent memory and redirecting execution flow.

Because the CLI runs with elevated privileges on the underlying operating system, a successful overflow yields code execution outside the normal command sandbox. The result is full compromise of the switch data plane and management plane, including the ability to modify firmware, capture traffic, or pivot into adjacent management networks.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing bounds checking [CWE-120] on CLI argument parsing. AOS-CX CLI handlers accept variable-length strings for command parameters but copy them into statically sized buffers using unsafe string operations. When input length exceeds the destination buffer, adjacent memory is overwritten and controllable by the attacker.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires network access to the AOS-CX management interface and valid high-privilege credentials. The attacker authenticates to the CLI over SSH or a similar remote channel, then issues a crafted command containing an overlong argument. No user interaction is required beyond the attacker's own session, and the attack completes within a single unprivileged-user-facing action. HPE has not disclosed a public proof of concept, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

See the HPE Security Advisory for vendor technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-63453

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected CLI sessions from administrative accounts originating from unusual source addresses or at atypical times.
Switch process crashes, unexpected daemon restarts, or core dumps generated shortly after CLI activity.
New or modified configuration entries, user accounts, or SSH keys added outside change-management windows.
Outbound connections from the switch management plane to unfamiliar hosts following administrative logins.

Detection Strategies

Enable AAA command accounting on AOS-CX and forward every executed CLI command with full argument strings to a central log store for review.
Alert on CLI commands whose argument length exceeds a defined threshold, which is a strong signal of overflow attempts.
Correlate authentication events with subsequent process or daemon anomalies reported through switch syslog.

Monitoring Recommendations

Ingest AOS-CX syslog and TACACS+/RADIUS accounting records into a SIEM or data lake for long-term retention.
Baseline normal administrator behavior including source subnets, command patterns, and session durations, and alert on deviations.
Monitor management-plane network flows for unexpected egress traffic that could indicate post-exploitation command and control.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-63453

Immediate Actions Required

Apply the fixed AOS-CX firmware version listed in the HPE Security Advisory as soon as maintenance windows permit.
Audit all accounts with high-privilege CLI access and revoke any that are no longer required.
Rotate credentials for administrative accounts and shared service accounts that authenticate to AOS-CX.
Restrict management-plane reachability to a dedicated out-of-band network or bastion host.

Patch Information

HPE has released fixed firmware for affected AOS-CX releases. Refer to the HPE Security Advisory for the exact fixed versions matched to each supported branch, and follow the vendor upgrade procedure to preserve running configuration during the update.

Workarounds

Limit CLI access to a small set of jump hosts using management VRF access control lists on the switch.
Require multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts through TACACS+ or RADIUS integrations.
Enforce role-based access control so that operators receive only the minimum command set required for their function.
Enable command accounting and review logs daily until patched firmware is deployed.

bash

# Restrict management access to trusted jump hosts on AOS-CX
switch(config)# access-list ip mgmt-acl
switch(config-acl-ip)# 10 permit tcp 10.10.20.0/24 any eq ssh
switch(config-acl-ip)# 20 deny  tcp any any eq ssh
switch(config-acl-ip)# exit
switch(config)# interface mgmt
switch(config-if-mgmt)# ip access-group mgmt-acl in

# Enable AAA command accounting to a remote server
switch(config)# aaa accounting commands default start-stop group tacacs