CVE-2026-23596 is a vulnerability identified in the management API of Hewlett Packard Enterprise's Aruba Networking Private 5G Core, specifically version 1.24.3.0. The flaw allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to remotely trigger service restarts by exploiting the management API, which is exposed over the network. This leads to denial of service conditions by disrupting the availability of the Private 5G Core services. The vulnerability does not compromise confidentiality or integrity, as it does not allow data disclosure or modification, but it severely impacts availability by forcing service interruptions. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.5 (medium), with the vector indicating attack vector as adjacent network (AV:A), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and impact limited to availability (A:H). No known exploits have been reported in the wild, suggesting limited active exploitation at present. The vulnerability was reserved in January 2026 and published in February 2026, indicating recent discovery. The affected product is used in private 5G network deployments, which are increasingly adopted by enterprises and critical infrastructure sectors for secure and dedicated wireless connectivity. The management API is a critical component for operational control, and its exposure to unauthenticated access represents a significant risk for service disruption. The lack of authentication requirements and ease of triggering service restarts make this vulnerability a concern for availability and operational continuity.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2026-23596 centers on potential denial of service against private 5G core network infrastructure. Enterprises and critical infrastructure operators relying on HPE Aruba Networking Private 5G Core for secure, low-latency wireless connectivity could experience service outages, disrupting business operations, industrial automation, or emergency communications. The disruption of private 5G services could affect manufacturing plants, logistics hubs, healthcare facilities, and smart city deployments that depend on continuous network availability. While confidentiality and data integrity remain unaffected, the loss of availability could lead to operational downtime, financial losses, and reputational damage. Given the increasing adoption of private 5G in Europe, especially in sectors like automotive, manufacturing, and public safety, the vulnerability poses a tangible risk. Additionally, the unauthenticated nature of the exploit means that attackers with network access—potentially insiders or lateral movement from compromised systems—could cause disruptions without needing credentials. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently limits immediate risk, but the vulnerability should be addressed promptly to prevent future exploitation.

1. Apply vendor patches or updates as soon as Hewlett Packard Enterprise releases them for the affected Aruba Networking Private 5G Core version 1.24.3.0. 2. Restrict network access to the management API by implementing strict network segmentation and firewall rules, allowing only trusted management hosts to communicate with the API. 3. Employ VPNs or secure tunnels for management traffic to prevent unauthorized network access. 4. Monitor network traffic and logs for unusual activity targeting the management API, including repeated service restart attempts or anomalous API calls. 5. Implement intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) with signatures or heuristics to detect exploitation attempts. 6. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on private 5G infrastructure to identify and remediate exposure. 7. Develop and test incident response plans specifically addressing private 5G service disruptions. 8. Limit the exposure of management interfaces to the internet or untrusted networks to reduce attack surface. 9. Maintain up-to-date asset inventories to quickly identify affected systems and prioritize remediation. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on network-level controls, monitoring, and operational readiness tailored to private 5G core environments.