CVE-2022-37900 is an authenticated command injection vulnerability affecting Hewlett Packard Enterprise's ArubaOS command line interface (CLI), specifically in the Aruba Mobility Conductor (formerly Mobility Master), Aruba Mobility Controllers, WLAN Gateways, and SD-WAN Gateways managed by Aruba Central. This vulnerability arises from improper input validation in the CLI, classified under CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command). An authenticated attacker with high privileges can exploit this flaw to inject arbitrary commands, which are executed with the same privileges as the underlying operating system user. This effectively allows the attacker to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond authentication, and the attack vector is network-based (AV:N), meaning it can be exploited remotely over the network. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.2 (high severity), reflecting the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (all rated high), with low attack complexity and no user interaction required. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the presence of this vulnerability in critical network infrastructure components that manage wireless and SD-WAN connectivity makes it a significant risk. The lack of publicly available patches at the time of reporting increases the urgency for mitigation and monitoring. Given the privileged nature of the CLI and the critical role these devices play in network operations, successful exploitation could allow attackers to disrupt network services, intercept or manipulate sensitive data, and establish persistent footholds within enterprise environments.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-37900 is substantial due to the widespread deployment of Aruba network infrastructure in enterprise, government, and critical infrastructure sectors. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized command execution on network controllers and gateways, resulting in potential network outages, data breaches, and lateral movement within corporate networks. This could compromise the confidentiality of sensitive communications, integrity of network configurations, and availability of wireless and SD-WAN services. In sectors such as finance, healthcare, and public administration, disruption or data compromise could have severe operational and reputational consequences. Furthermore, given the centralized management via Aruba Central, a successful attack could cascade across multiple managed devices, amplifying the scope of impact. The high privilege level required for exploitation means insider threats or compromised credentials could be leveraged by attackers, emphasizing the need for strict access controls. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the critical nature of the vulnerability demands immediate attention to prevent potential targeted attacks.

1. Restrict CLI access strictly to trusted administrators using strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce the risk of credential compromise. 2. Implement network segmentation and access control lists (ACLs) to limit management interface exposure only to authorized management networks and devices. 3. Monitor ArubaOS CLI access logs and network traffic for unusual command execution patterns or unauthorized access attempts, employing SIEM solutions with tailored detection rules. 4. Apply principle of least privilege by ensuring administrative accounts have only the necessary permissions and regularly review account privileges. 5. Stay informed on Hewlett Packard Enterprise advisories and apply security patches or firmware updates as soon as they become available to remediate the vulnerability. 6. If patches are not yet available, consider temporary mitigations such as disabling remote CLI access or restricting it to out-of-band management networks. 7. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focusing on network infrastructure devices to identify and remediate potential weaknesses. 8. Educate administrators on secure CLI usage and the risks associated with command injection vulnerabilities to prevent inadvertent exploitation.