---
id: "CVE-2026-79861"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-79861"]
title: "HPE Aruba AOS-10: crafted PAPI packets let anyone run code as root"
severity: "critical"
cvss: 9.8
epss: 0.01384
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: [{"name": "AOS-10", "fixed": ["10.4.1.14", "10.7.2.7", "10.8.1.2"], "affected": ">= 10.3.0.0, <= 10.4.1.13; >= 10.6.0.0, <= 10.7.2.6; >= 10.8.0.0, <= 10.8.1.1", "ecosystem": "vendor"}]
ecosystems: ["vendor"]
tags: ["aos-10", "aruba", "command-injection", "hpe", "infrastructure", "network-gear", "papi", "rce"]
not_affected_if: ["unpatched-version-not-in-range"]
published_at: "2026-10-22T19:17:58+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-23T21:57:32+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-25T12:38:51+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-79861", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T21:57:32+00:00"}, {"source": "analyst", "url": null, "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T22:17:56+00:00"}, {"source": "epss", "url": "https://api.first.org/data/v1/epss?cve=CVE-2026-79861", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-24T07:15:51+00:00"}]
---

# HPE Aruba AOS-10: crafted PAPI packets let anyone run code as root

HPE Aruba AOS-10 controllers and gateways have a command injection flaw in the PAPI management protocol. An unauthenticated attacker who sends specially crafted PAPI packets can run arbitrary code as a privileged user on the underlying operating system.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## Affected

- vendor:AOS-10 affected >= 10.3.0.0, <= 10.4.1.13; >= 10.6.0.0, <= 10.7.2.6; >= 10.8.0.0, <= 10.8.1.1 fixed 10.4.1.14, 10.7.2.7, 10.8.1.2

## How to check

Check the installed AOS-10 version on each controller or gateway (show version) and compare it with the affected ranges.

## Fix

Upgrade to 10.4.1.14, 10.7.2.7, or 10.8.1.2 depending on your branch.
Restrict access to PAPI traffic on the network until patched.

## Timeline

- 2026-10-23T21:57:32+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-79861
- 2026-10-23T22:17:56+00:00 analyst — HPE bulletin HPESBNW05162 (22 Oct 2026) covers this; HPE page text not loaded, versions from securityonline/dailysecurityreview, verify against bulletin. Per-CVE rating/attack vector not confirmed (OpenCVE shows 9.8). No exploitation or PoC reported, not in KEV. X/community not searched.
- 2026-10-24T07:15:51+00:00 epss https://api.first.org/data/v1/epss?cve=CVE-2026-79861

## Documents

- [advisory] HPESBNW05162 rev.1 - Multiple Vulnerabilities in HPE Networking Wireless OS (AOS-10 & AOS-8) https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docId=hpesbnw05162en_us&docLocale=en_US
- [describes] HPE Patches 72 Aruba AOS-8 and AOS-10 Flaws https://dailysecurityreview.com/resources/hpe-patches-72-aruba-aos-8-and-aos-10-flaws-eight-at-cvss-10-0/
- [fix] HPE Networking AOS Vulnerabilities Hit PAPI Protocol https://securityonline.info/hpe-networking-aos-vulnerabilities/

## From the sources

There is a command injection vulnerability in AOS-10 that could lead to unauthenticated remote code execution by sending specially crafted PAPI packets. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability results in the ability to execute arbitrary code as a privileged user on the underlying operating system.

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_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_