CVE-2026-23595 is an authentication bypass vulnerability identified in Hewlett Packard Enterprise's Aruba Networking Private 5G Core product, specifically version 1.24.3.0. The flaw resides in the application programming interface (API), which improperly validates authentication, allowing a remote attacker to create unauthorized administrative accounts without any prior authentication or user interaction. This bypass enables attackers to gain privileged access, potentially leading to full administrative control over the affected system. With administrative privileges, attackers can modify system configurations, disrupt network operations, and access or manipulate sensitive data handled by the private 5G core infrastructure. The vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS v3.1 score of 8.8, reflecting its high severity due to the ease of exploitation (low attack complexity), no requirement for privileges or user interaction, and the critical impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no exploits have been reported in the wild yet, the nature of the vulnerability makes it a prime target for attackers aiming to compromise private 5G networks, which are increasingly deployed in enterprise and industrial environments. The vulnerability was publicly disclosed in February 2026, with Hewlett Packard Enterprise as the vendor. The affected product, Aruba Networking Private 5G Core, is a key component in private 5G deployments, providing core network functions tailored for enterprise use cases, including manufacturing, logistics, and critical infrastructure. The authentication bypass in the API could allow attackers to stealthily establish persistent administrative access, making detection and remediation challenging without proper monitoring and controls.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2026-23595 is substantial. Private 5G networks are rapidly being adopted across Europe to support digital transformation in sectors such as manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, and energy. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain administrative control over private 5G core networks, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data and disruption of critical communications. This could result in operational downtime, data breaches, intellectual property theft, and potential safety risks in industrial environments. Given the reliance on private 5G for mission-critical applications, the integrity and availability of these networks are paramount. The ability to modify configurations could also allow attackers to introduce backdoors or manipulate network traffic, further escalating the risk. Additionally, regulatory compliance requirements such as GDPR impose strict obligations on data protection, and a breach stemming from this vulnerability could lead to significant legal and financial penalties. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive defense, but the high severity score underscores the urgency for mitigation.

To mitigate CVE-2026-23595 effectively, European organizations should take the following specific actions: 1) Apply patches or updates from Hewlett Packard Enterprise as soon as they become available to address the authentication bypass. 2) Until patches are deployed, restrict access to the Aruba Private 5G Core API by implementing strict network segmentation and firewall rules, limiting API exposure to trusted management networks only. 3) Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) and strong access controls on all administrative interfaces to reduce the risk of unauthorized account creation. 4) Implement continuous monitoring and logging of administrative account creation and privilege escalations, with alerts for anomalous activities. 5) Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focused on private 5G core infrastructure to identify potential weaknesses. 6) Employ intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) tailored to detect unusual API calls or unauthorized access attempts. 7) Educate network and security teams about this vulnerability and the importance of securing private 5G core components. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on network-level protections, proactive monitoring, and operational security tailored to private 5G environments.