CVE-2016-2031Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Remote compromise via insufficient input validation

Published Jan 31, 2020 · Updated Aug 5, 2024

Improper input validation in Aruba Instant before 4.1.3.0 and 4.2.3.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code. The swarm.cgi firmware-update handler passes the image_url parameter into a root-privileged command, while PAPI handlers accept packets protected by static or disabled checks and the updater trusts unauthenticated responses. Network access to the management or PAPI interfaces is sufficient for outcomes ranging from credential and system-data disclosure to configuration changes and root-level device compromise.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability5.12%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper input validation in Aruba Instant before 4.1.3.0 and 4.2.3.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code. The swarm.cgi firmware-update handler passes the image_url parameter into a root-privileged command, while PAPI handlers accept packets protected by static or disabled checks and the updater trusts unauthenticated responses. Network access to the management or PAPI interfaces is sufficient for outcomes ranging from credential and system-data disclosure to configuration changes and root-level device compromise.

The record

CVE
CVE-2016-2031
Published
Jan 31, 2020
Updated
Aug 5, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-20, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 31, 2020CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 5, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

7.5NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
9.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-20Improper Input Validation
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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