Instant ON: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command
CVE-2026-76724 is a critical-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in a command vulnerability in Instant ON from Hewlett Packard Enterprise, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.6 out of 10. It can be exploited from the same local network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Instant ON versions: 0.0.0.0 through 3.4.1.0. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.02% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 64% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of Instant ON you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hewlett Packard Enterprise | Instant ON | 0.0.0.0 through 3.4.1.0 | 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
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- 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
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (hpe.com).
Official description
A command injection vulnerability exists in CLI of the affected HPE Networking Instant ON APs that could allow an unauthenticated adjacent attacker to perform command injection by sending specially crafted packets. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary commands as a privileged user on the underlying operating system.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command
The product constructs all or part of a command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended command when it is sent to a downstream component.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- If at all possible, use library calls rather than external processes to recreate the desired functionality.
- If possible, ensure that all external commands called from the program are statically created.
- Run time: Run time policy enforcement may be used in an allowlist fashion to prevent use of any non-sanctioned commands.
More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command vulnerabilities (CWE-77)
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 Instant ON
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
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