CVE-2025-37123 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in the command-line interface (CLI) of Hewlett Packard Enterprise's Aruba Networking EdgeConnect SD-WAN Gateway devices, specifically affecting versions 9.4.0.0 and 9.5.0.0. This vulnerability allows an authenticated remote attacker with limited privileges to escalate their access rights to root-level privileges on the underlying operating system. The flaw lies within the CLI component, which is typically used for device management and configuration. Exploiting this vulnerability does not require user interaction and can be performed remotely over the network, given that the attacker has some level of authentication. The CVSS v3.1 score of 8.8 reflects the critical impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as the attacker can execute arbitrary system commands with full administrative control. This could lead to complete compromise of the affected SD-WAN gateway, enabling attackers to manipulate network traffic, disrupt services, exfiltrate sensitive data, or establish persistent footholds within the network infrastructure. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability's nature and ease of exploitation make it a significant risk for organizations relying on these devices for secure WAN connectivity and network segmentation.

For European organizations, the exploitation of CVE-2025-37123 could have severe consequences. SD-WAN gateways like the HPE Aruba EdgeConnect are critical components in modern enterprise networks, facilitating secure and efficient connectivity across distributed sites. A successful attack could result in unauthorized access to sensitive corporate networks, interception or manipulation of data flows, and disruption of business-critical communications. This is particularly concerning for sectors with stringent data protection requirements such as finance, healthcare, and government institutions within Europe, where breaches could lead to regulatory penalties under GDPR and damage to reputation. Additionally, the ability to execute arbitrary commands as root could allow attackers to deploy malware, create backdoors, or pivot to other internal systems, amplifying the scope of compromise. The remote and authenticated nature of the vulnerability means that insider threats or compromised credentials could be leveraged to launch attacks, increasing the risk profile for organizations with large distributed workforces or third-party access.

To mitigate this vulnerability effectively, European organizations should prioritize the following actions: 1) Immediate patching: Although no patch links are provided in the current data, organizations should monitor HPE's official advisories and apply security updates as soon as they become available. 2) Access control hardening: Restrict CLI access to trusted administrators only, using network segmentation, VPNs, or jump hosts to limit exposure. 3) Multi-factor authentication (MFA): Enforce MFA for all administrative access to reduce the risk of credential compromise. 4) Monitoring and logging: Enable detailed logging of CLI access and commands executed, and integrate logs with SIEM solutions to detect anomalous activities indicative of privilege escalation attempts. 5) Credential management: Regularly rotate administrative credentials and audit accounts with CLI access to minimize the attack surface. 6) Network segmentation: Isolate SD-WAN gateways from general user networks to limit lateral movement opportunities. 7) Incident response readiness: Prepare and test incident response plans specifically addressing potential SD-WAN gateway compromises to ensure rapid containment and remediation.