CVE-2025-37157 is a command injection vulnerability identified in Hewlett Packard Enterprise's Aruba Networking AOS-CX operating system, specifically impacting versions 10.10.0000 through 10.16.0000. The vulnerability allows an authenticated remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the affected device, resulting in remote code execution (RCE). This flaw arises from insufficient input validation or improper command handling within the AOS-CX OS, enabling attackers with valid credentials to inject malicious commands. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.7, reflecting medium severity, with vector metrics indicating local attack vector (AV:L), high attack complexity (AC:H), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and high impact on confidentiality and integrity (C:H/I:H) but no impact on availability (A:N). Although exploitation requires authentication, the absence of required user interaction and the potential to fully compromise device confidentiality and integrity make this a serious concern for network security. No public exploits or patches have been reported at the time of publication (November 18, 2025), but the vulnerability's presence in widely deployed network operating systems used in enterprise environments underscores the need for vigilance. The affected product, HPE Aruba Networking AOS-CX, is commonly deployed in enterprise and data center network switches, making this vulnerability a potential vector for lateral movement or persistent compromise within organizational networks.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the security and integrity of their network infrastructure. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain control over critical network devices, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data, interception or manipulation of network traffic, and potential disruption of network operations. Given the role of Aruba AOS-CX in enterprise switching environments, attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent footholds, move laterally within networks, or exfiltrate confidential information. The requirement for authentication and high attack complexity somewhat limits the immediate risk; however, insider threats or compromised credentials could facilitate exploitation. The impact is particularly critical for sectors reliant on robust network security such as finance, telecommunications, government, and critical infrastructure operators. Additionally, compromised network devices could undermine compliance with European data protection regulations like GDPR, resulting in legal and reputational consequences.

Organizations should implement a multi-layered mitigation strategy beyond generic advice. First, they must monitor Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s advisories closely and apply security patches or firmware updates for AOS-CX as soon as they become available. Until patches are deployed, restrict administrative access to the affected devices by enforcing strict network segmentation and limiting management interfaces to trusted hosts only. Employ strong authentication mechanisms, including multi-factor authentication (MFA), to reduce the risk of credential compromise. Regularly audit and monitor device logs for unusual command execution or access patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. Network anomaly detection systems should be tuned to identify suspicious activities on Aruba switches. Additionally, conduct periodic security assessments and penetration tests focusing on network device security. Educate network administrators about the risks of command injection vulnerabilities and the importance of credential hygiene. Finally, maintain an incident response plan tailored to network device compromises to enable rapid containment and remediation.