CVE-2023-35981Network attack vector

Unauthenticated privileged code execution via PAPI packets

Published Jul 25, 2023 · Updated Nov 7, 2024

Buffer overflows in HPE Aruba Access Points running affected InstantOS and ArubaOS 10 releases allow remote attackers to execute privileged code. The vendor identifies crafted PAPI packets sent to UDP port 8211, but does not disclose which underlying service or unchecked buffer copy handles them. No authentication or user interaction is required; successful exploitation runs arbitrary code as a privileged operating-system user.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability2.07%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Buffer overflows in HPE Aruba Access Points running affected InstantOS and ArubaOS 10 releases allow remote attackers to execute privileged code. The vendor identifies crafted PAPI packets sent to UDP port 8211, but does not disclose which underlying service or unchecked buffer copy handles them. No authentication or user interaction is required; successful exploitation runs arbitrary code as a privileged operating-system user.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-35981
Published
Jul 25, 2023
Updated
Nov 7, 2024
Vendor
Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)
Product
Aruba Access Points
Classifications
CWE-120, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jul 25, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Nov 7, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=ArubaOS 10.4.x.x: 10.4.0.1 and below
  2. Affected versionversion=InstantOS 6.4.x.x: 6.4.4.8-4.2.4.21 and below
  3. Affected versionversion=InstantOS 6.5.x.x: 6.5.4.24 and below
  4. Affected versionversion=InstantOS 8.10.x.x: 8.10.0.6 and below
  5. Affected versionversion=InstantOS 8.11.x.x: 8.11.1.0 and below
  6. Affected versionversion=InstantOS 8.6.x.x: 8.6.0.20 and below

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) · Aruba Access Pointsversion=ArubaOS 10.4.x.x: 10.4.0.1 and below; version=InstantOS 6.4.x.x: 6.4.4.8-4.2.4.21 and below; version=InstantOS 6.5.x.x: 6.5.4.24 and below; version=InstantOS 8.10.x.x: 8.10.0.6 and below; version=InstantOS 8.11.x.x: 8.11.1.0 and below; version=InstantOS 8.6.x.x: 8.6.0.20 and below

Published CVSS scores

9.8Hewlett Packard EnterpriseCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
9.8NVDCVSS: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 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-120Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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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