AOS-CX: Improper Privilege Management
CVE-2026-73779 is a high-severity improper privilege management vulnerability in AOS-CX from Hewlett Packard Enterprise, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.2 out of 10. It can be exploited from the same local network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected AOS-CX versions: 10.18.0000 through 10.18.0001; 10.17.0000 through 10.17.1021; 10.16.0000 through 10.16.1051, and others listed below. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.24% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of AOS-CX you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on support.hpe.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hewlett Packard Enterprise | AOS-CX | 10.18.0000 through 10.18.0001; 10.17.0000 through 10.17.1021; 10.16.0000 through 10.16.1051; 10.13.0000 through 10.13.1180; 10.10.0000 through 10.10.1180 | Not stated |
| Hewlett Packard Enterprise | Arubaos-cx | 10.10.1180 and earlier; 10.13.0000 through 10.13.1180; 10.16.0000 through 10.16.1051; 10.17.0000 through 10.17.1021; 10.18.0001 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- AdjacentThe attacker must be on the same local network segment.
- Attack complexity
- HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- LowPerformance or availability is reduced.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:L. Scored by CNA (hpe.com).
Official description
Vulnerabilities have been identified in the operating system of AOS-CX switches that could potentially allow an unauthenticated remote actor to circumvent existing authentication controls. Successful exploitation could compromise system integrity and further expose sensitive information.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Privilege Management
The product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Very carefully manage the setting, management, and handling of privileges. Explicitly manage trust zones in the software.
- Follow the principle of least privilege when assigning access rights to entities in a software system.
- Consider following the principle of separation of privilege. Require multiple conditions to be met before permitting access to a system resource.
More Improper Privilege Management vulnerabilities (CWE-269)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in AOS-CX
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.4 High severity
- 8.3 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 7.9 High severity
Recent Improper Privilege Management vulnerabilities
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.6 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
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