Full Report
HPE security advisory (AV26-571)
Analysis Summary
# Vulnerability: NGINX Rewrite Module flaw in HPE Aruba Networking Products
## CVE Details
- **CVE ID:** CVE-2026-42945
- **CVSS Score:** Not explicitly listed in the advisory (Typically associated with Medium to High severity depending on implementation)
- **CWE:** CWE-444 (Inconsistent Interpretation of HTTP Requests / Request Smuggling) or related URI processing flaws (associated with `ngx_http_rewrite_module`).
## Affected Systems
- **Products:**
- HPE Aruba Networking Management Software (Airwave)
- HPE Aruba Networking Private 5G Management Dashboard
- **Versions:**
- Airwave: Version 8.3.0.6 and prior
- Private 5G Management Dashboard: All versions
- **Configurations:** Systems utilizing the `ngx_http_rewrite_module` within the NGINX component of these platforms.
## Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability originates in the NGINX `ngx_http_rewrite_module`. It involves a flaw in how the module processes specifically crafted URIs or HTTP requests. In the context of HPE Aruba Management products, this can lead to an inconsistency between how the NGINX proxy and the backend application interpret request paths, potentially allowing for security rule bypass or unauthorized access to restricted resources.
## Exploitation
- **Status:** Not reported as exploited in the wild (per this advisory).
- **Complexity:** Medium
- **Attack Vector:** Network
## Impact
- **Confidentiality:** High (Potential access to management interfaces)
- **Integrity:** Medium
- **Availability:** Low
## Remediation
### Patches
HPE recommends updating to the following versions or later:
- **HPE Aruba Networking Management Software (Airwave):** Update to a version newer than 8.3.0.6.
- **HPE Aruba Networking Private 5G Management Dashboard:** Consult the HPE Support portal for the latest security patches addressing this CVE.
### Workarounds
- No specific software workarounds provided; users are urged to apply the official updates.
- General mitigation: Restrict access to management interfaces to trusted internal networks only.
## Detection
- **Indicators of Compromise:** Unusual URI patterns in NGINX logs, specifically those containing repeated slashes, encoded characters, or null bytes intended to bypass rewrite rules.
- **Detection methods and tools:** Audit NGINX access logs for `4xx` and `5xx` errors coinciding with unusual request paths; utilize vulnerability scanners to check for outdated NGINX components within the Aruba appliance environment.
## References
- **Vendor Advisories:**
- hxxps[://]support[.]hpe[.]com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docId=hpesbnw05064en_us
- **Relevant Links:**
- hxxps[://]www[.]cyber[.]gc[.]ca/en/alerts-advisories/hpe-security-advisory-av26-571
- hxxps[://]support[.]hpe[.]com/connect/s/securitybulletinlibrary?language=en_US