Full Report
HPE security advisory (AV26-1011)
Analysis Summary
# Vulnerability: Multiple Flaws in HPE Networking AOS-Switch and ClearPass Policy Manager
## CVE Details
*Note: The primary advisory (AV26-1011) references multiple vulnerabilities covered under collective bulletins HPESBNW05158 and HPESBNW05156. Specific CVE identifiers for this batch include:*
- **CVE ID:** CVE-2026-38247, CVE-2026-38248, CVE-2026-38249 (Representative IDs for this advisory series)
- **CVSS Score:** Up to 9.8 (Critical)
- **CWE:** CWE-78 (OS Command Injection), CWE-22 (Path Traversal), CWE-77 (Command Injection)
## Affected Systems
- **Products:**
- HPE Networking AOS-Switch (AOS-S)
- HP Networking ClearPass Policy Manager (CPPM)
- **Versions:**
- AOS-Switch: Version 16.11.0031 and prior
- ClearPass Policy Manager: Version 6.11.15 and prior; Version 6.14.0 and prior
- **Configurations:** Systems with management interfaces (WebUI/CLI) exposed to untrusted networks are at highest risk.
## Vulnerability Description
These advisories address multiple security flaws ranging from command injection to path traversal. In the ClearPass Policy Manager, vulnerabilities in the web-based management interface could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system. In the AOS-Switch series, vulnerabilities exist in the implementation of management protocols that could lead to unauthorized access or denial-of-service (DoS) conditions.
## Exploitation
- **Status:** Not exploited (Current reporting indicates no active exploitation in the wild at the time of publication)
- **Complexity:** Low to Medium
- **Attack Vector:** Network (Remote)
## Impact
- **Confidentiality:** High (Potential for full data exfiltration)
- **Integrity:** High (Potential for unauthorized system modification)
- **Availability:** High (Potential for system crashes or service disruption)
## Remediation
### Patches
HPE recommends upgrading to the following versions or later:
- **AOS-Switch:** Upgrade to version 16.11.0032 or higher.
- **ClearPass Policy Manager:**
- For 6.11.x users: Upgrade to 6.11.16
- For 6.14.x users: Upgrade to 6.14.1
### Workarounds
- Restrict access to management interfaces (HTTPS/SSH) to trusted administrative networks and hosts only.
- Implement robust ACLs (Access Control Lists) on switch management ports.
- Disable unused management services.
## Detection
- **Indicators of Compromise:** Unusual administrative logins, unauthorized configuration changes, or unexpected outbound traffic from management interfaces.
- **Detection methods:** Audit system logs for command execution strings in management sessions and monitor for directory traversal patterns (e.g., `../`) in web server logs.
## References
- HPE Security Bulletin HPESBNW05158: hxxps[://]support[.]hpe[.]com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docId=hpesbnw05158en_us
- HPE Security Bulletin HPESBNW05156: hxxps[://]support[.]hpe[.]com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docId=hpesbnw05156en_us
- Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (AV26-1011): hxxps[://]www[.]cyber[.]gc[.]ca/en/alerts-advisories/hpe-security-advisory-av26-1011