CVE-2023-38486Network attack vector

Arbitrary runtime execution via unsigned kernel images

Published Sep 6, 2023 · Updated Sep 26, 2024

Secure boot bypass in affected HPE ArubaOS releases allows attackers to execute unsigned runtime operating systems on 9000 and 9200 Series devices. The secure boot implementation fails to enforce the signed-kernel requirement, allowing an unsigned kernel image to start an unverified runtime. Exploitation requires a root shell on the local controller obtained through another vulnerability, and the resulting runtime operates outside the intended hardware trust controls.

CVSS severity7.7
High
EPSS probability0.34%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Secure boot bypass in affected HPE ArubaOS releases allows attackers to execute unsigned runtime operating systems on 9000 and 9200 Series devices. The secure boot implementation fails to enforce the signed-kernel requirement, allowing an unsigned kernel image to start an unverified runtime. Exploitation requires a root shell on the local controller obtained through another vulnerability, and the resulting runtime operates outside the intended hardware trust controls.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-38486
Published
Sep 6, 2023
Updated
Sep 26, 2024
Vendor
Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)
Product
ArubaOS
Classifications
CWE-863
Attack vector
network
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 6, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 26, 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?

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

  1. Affected versionversion=10.4.0.0 <10.4.0.2
  2. Affected versionversion=8.10.0.0 <8.10.0.7
  3. Affected versionversion=8.11.0.0 <8.11.1.1
  4. Affected versionversion=8.6.0.0 <8.6.0.22

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) · ArubaOSversion=10.4.0.0 <10.4.0.2; version=8.10.0.0 <8.10.0.7; version=8.11.0.0 <8.11.1.1; version=8.6.0.0 <8.6.0.22

Published CVSS scores

7.7Hewlett Packard EnterpriseCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N

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
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-863Incorrect Authorization

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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