---
id: "CVE-2026-79868"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-79868"]
title: "AOS-8 wireless controller: authentication bypass grants full administrative control"
severity: "critical"
cvss: 9.6
epss: 0.0022
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: [{"name": "HPE Networking AOS-8", "fixed": ["8.13.3.1", "8.10.0.24"], "affected": ">= 8.13.0.0, <= 8.13.3.0; >= 8.10.0.0, <= 8.10.0.23", "ecosystem": "vendor"}]
ecosystems: ["vendor"]
tags: ["aos-8", "aruba", "auth-bypass", "hpe", "infrastructure", "network-appliance", "wireless-controller"]
not_affected_if: ["aos-10-only"]
published_at: "2026-10-22T19:17:59+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-2026-79868", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T21:57:32+00:00"}, {"source": "analyst", "url": null, "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T22:45:12+00:00"}, {"source": "epss", "url": "https://api.first.org/data/v1/epss?cve=CVE-2026-79868", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-24T07:15:51+00:00"}]
---

# AOS-8 wireless controller: authentication bypass grants full administrative control

Authentication bypass in an unnamed interface of AOS-8 (Mobility Conductors, Controllers, Instant APs). An unauthenticated attacker on an adjacent network (AV:A) can get admin access, change configuration, and read or change sensitive data. CVSS 9.6. Found internally by HPE; no known exploitation or public PoC.

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

## Affected

- vendor:HPE Networking AOS-8 affected >= 8.13.0.0, <= 8.13.3.0; >= 8.10.0.0, <= 8.10.0.23 fixed 8.13.3.1, 8.10.0.24

## How to check

Run 'show version' on each Mobility Conductor, Controller or Instant AP. You are exposed on 8.13.x at 8.13.3.0 or below, or on 8.10.x at 8.10.0.23 or below. EoM releases are presumed affected.

## Fix

Upgrade to AOS-8 8.13.3.1 or later (8.13 train), or 8.10.0.24 or later (8.10 train). Workaround: restrict CLI and web management to a dedicated layer 2 segment/VLAN, apply layer 3+ firewall rules, and enable accounting.

## Timeline

- 2026-10-23T21:57:32+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-79868
- 2026-10-23T22:45:12+00:00 analyst — Part of HPE bulletin HPESBNW05162 (2026-10-22, 72 CVEs). Affected/fixed versions from signed advisory text and CVE record. The advisory only says 'affected interface' for this CVE; the interface is not named in the part I read (text was truncated). HPE reports no exploitation and no public PoC; I did not search X or other discussion.
- 2026-10-24T07:15:51+00:00 epss https://api.first.org/data/v1/epss?cve=CVE-2026-79868

## Documents

- [advisory] HPESBNW05162 HPE Networking AOS-8 and AOS-10 advisory https://csaf.arubanetworking.hpe.com/2026/hpe_networking_-_hpesbnw05162.txt
- [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] CVE Record: CVE-2026-79868 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-79868

## From the sources

Authentication bypass vulnerabilities in the affected interface of AOS-8 could allow an unauthenticated adjacent attacker to circumvent existing authentication controls. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to gain administrative access, modify system configurations, and access or manipulate sensitive data, leading to complete compromise of the affected 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_