CVE-2025-37160 identifies a broken access control vulnerability (CWE-200) in Hewlett Packard Enterprise's Aruba Networking AOS-CX web-based management interface. The flaw allows an authenticated remote attacker with low privileges to bypass access restrictions and view sensitive information that should be protected. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of the AOS-CX operating system, specifically versions 10.10.0000 through 10.16.0000. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.3 (medium), reflecting that the attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requires no user interaction (UI:N), and no privileges (PR:N), but only impacts confidentiality (C:L) without affecting integrity or availability. The vulnerability arises from improper enforcement of access controls, enabling unauthorized data disclosure via the management interface. Although no public exploits are currently known, the risk exists because the management interface is often exposed internally or via VPNs, and attackers with low-level credentials could leverage this flaw to gather sensitive configuration details or operational data. This information could facilitate further attacks or reconnaissance. The vulnerability does not allow privilege escalation or direct system disruption but compromises confidentiality, which is critical in network management contexts. The lack of available patches at the time of disclosure necessitates interim mitigations such as network segmentation, strict access control policies, and monitoring of management interface access. Given the widespread deployment of HPE Aruba networking equipment in enterprise and service provider environments, this vulnerability poses a tangible risk to organizations relying on these devices for network infrastructure management.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-37160 is the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive network management information. This could include configuration details, network topology, credentials, or other operational data that attackers could use to plan further intrusions or disrupt services. Confidentiality breaches in network management systems can lead to increased risk of lateral movement, targeted attacks, or data exfiltration. Sectors such as finance, telecommunications, government, and critical infrastructure operators are particularly vulnerable due to their reliance on secure network management. The vulnerability's medium severity means it is less likely to cause immediate operational disruption but can significantly weaken an organization's security posture if exploited. European organizations with remote or distributed network management setups may face increased exposure, especially if access controls are not tightly enforced. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers often develop exploits post-disclosure. The impact is compounded in environments where patching is delayed or where management interfaces are accessible beyond strictly controlled internal networks.

1. Apply official patches from Hewlett Packard Enterprise as soon as they become available to address the broken access control vulnerability. 2. Until patches are released, restrict access to the AOS-CX management interface using network segmentation, firewall rules, and VPNs limited to trusted administrators. 3. Implement strict role-based access control (RBAC) policies to ensure users have only the minimum necessary privileges. 4. Monitor and log all access to the management interface to detect unusual or unauthorized activity promptly. 5. Conduct regular audits of user accounts and permissions on the AOS-CX devices to remove unnecessary or stale accounts. 6. Employ multi-factor authentication (MFA) for accessing management interfaces to reduce the risk of credential compromise. 7. Educate network administrators about the vulnerability and encourage vigilance for suspicious behavior or access attempts. 8. Consider deploying intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting the management interface. 9. Review and harden network device configurations to minimize exposure of management interfaces to untrusted networks. 10. Maintain an up-to-date inventory of affected devices and their software versions to prioritize remediation efforts effectively.