CVE-2026-23598 identifies a vulnerability in the API error handling mechanism of Hewlett Packard Enterprise's Aruba Networking Private 5G Core server, version 1.24.3.0. The flaw arises from improper handling of error messages returned by the server's API, which inadvertently disclose sensitive internal information to unauthenticated remote attackers. This information includes user account details, role assignments, system configuration parameters, and insights into internal services and workflows. Although the vulnerability does not directly compromise confidentiality or integrity, it impacts availability and provides attackers with valuable intelligence that could facilitate privilege escalation or unauthorized access when combined with other vulnerabilities. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-209 (Information Exposure Through an Error Message). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5, with an attack vector of adjacent network (AV:A), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), no confidentiality or integrity impact (C:N/I:N), and high availability impact (A:H). No patches or known exploits have been reported as of the publication date, February 17, 2026. The affected product, HPE Aruba Networking Private 5G Core, is a critical component in private 5G network deployments, which are increasingly used in enterprise, industrial, and government sectors for secure and high-performance wireless communication. The vulnerability's exploitation could allow attackers to map the internal structure and user roles of the system, aiding in subsequent attacks such as privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network.

The primary impact of CVE-2026-23598 is the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive system information through API error messages, which can aid attackers in reconnaissance and planning further attacks. Although confidentiality and integrity are not directly compromised, the availability impact is rated high, indicating potential disruption or denial of service conditions. Organizations deploying HPE Aruba Networking Private 5G Core servers may face increased risk of unauthorized access or privilege escalation if attackers combine this vulnerability with other weaknesses. Given the critical role of private 5G cores in supporting enterprise and industrial wireless communications, exploitation could disrupt essential services, impact operational continuity, and expose sensitive internal configurations. The vulnerability's unauthenticated nature and lack of user interaction requirement increase the risk of remote exploitation, especially in environments where the vulnerable API is exposed to adjacent networks or insufficiently segmented. This could lead to broader security incidents, including data breaches or service outages, particularly in sectors relying heavily on private 5G infrastructure such as manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and government agencies.

To mitigate CVE-2026-23598, organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Immediately restrict network access to the vulnerable API endpoints by enforcing strict network segmentation and firewall rules, limiting access to trusted management networks only. 2) Monitor API traffic for anomalous error message patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. 3) Employ robust logging and alerting on API error responses to detect potential reconnaissance activities. 4) Coordinate with Hewlett Packard Enterprise for timely receipt and application of security patches or updates once available. 5) Conduct thorough security assessments and penetration testing focused on API error handling and information disclosure vectors. 6) Harden authentication and authorization controls around the 5G core management interfaces to reduce the risk of privilege escalation. 7) Educate network and security teams about the specific risks associated with API error information leakage and the importance of minimizing exposed error details in production environments. 8) Consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) or API gateways capable of sanitizing error messages and blocking suspicious requests. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on access control, monitoring, and proactive detection tailored to the nature of this vulnerability.