---
id: "CVE-2026-79874"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-79874"]
title: "HPE Aruba AOS-10: API authentication bypass gives adjacent attackers admin access"
severity: "critical"
cvss: 9.3
epss: 0.00199
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: [{"name": "AOS-10", "fixed": ["10.8.1.2", "10.7.2.7", "10.4.1.14"], "affected": ">= 10.8.0.0, <= 10.8.1.1; >= 10.7.0.0, <= 10.7.2.6; >= 10.4.0.0, <= 10.4.1.13", "ecosystem": "vendor"}]
ecosystems: ["vendor"]
tags: ["adjacent-network", "aos-10", "aruba", "auth-bypass", "hpe-aruba", "hpe-networking", "infrastructure", "network-gear", "self-hosted"]
not_affected_if: ["api-not-reachable-from-adjacent-network", "version-outside-affected-ranges"]
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-2026-79874", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T21:57:32+00:00"}, {"source": "analyst", "url": null, "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T22:14:42+00:00"}, {"source": "epss", "url": "https://api.first.org/data/v1/epss?cve=CVE-2026-79874", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-24T07:15:51+00:00"}]
---

# HPE Aruba AOS-10: API authentication bypass gives adjacent attackers admin access

HPE Aruba AOS-10 network controllers have an API flaw that lets an unauthenticated attacker on an adjacent network get past authentication. A successful attacker could gain administrative access, change configuration and read or alter sensitive data.

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

## Affected

- vendor:AOS-10 affected >= 10.8.0.0, <= 10.8.1.1; >= 10.7.0.0, <= 10.7.2.6; >= 10.4.0.0, <= 10.4.1.13 fixed 10.8.1.2, 10.7.2.7, 10.4.1.14

## How to check

Run 'show version' on the AOS-10 controller or check the version in the web UI and compare it with the affected ranges: 10.8.0.0 to 10.8.1.1, 10.7.0.0 to 10.7.2.6, 10.4.0.0 to 10.4.1.13.

## Fix

Upgrade to 10.8.1.2, 10.7.2.7, or 10.4.1.14 (or later in the same branch).
Until patched, restrict access to the AOS-10 API to trusted management networks: unknown for exact config commands.

## Timeline

- 2026-10-23T21:57:32+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-79874
- 2026-10-23T22:14:42+00:00 analyst — Read HPE advisory HPESBNW05162 (2026-Oct-22): CVE-2026-79874 is API auth bypass in AOS-10, adjacent attacker, CVSS 9.3. Fixed versions from advisory. HPE says no known exploitation or public PoC; no social search done (not needed, fresh disclosure).
- 2026-10-24T07:15:51+00:00 epss https://api.first.org/data/v1/epss?cve=CVE-2026-79874

## Documents

- [advisory] HPESBNW05162 HPE Networking AOS-8 and AOS-10 advisory https://csaf.arubanetworking.hpe.com/2026/hpe_networking_-_hpesbnw05162.txt
- [mentions] HPE patches eight max severity RCE and auth bypass AOS flaws https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/hpe-patches-eight-max-severity-rce-and-auth-bypass-aos-flaws/

## From the sources

An authentication bypass in the API of AOS-10 allows 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.

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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_