---
id: "CVE-2026-79881"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-79881"]
title: "AOS-8 operating system auth bypass lets remote attacker run code as root"
severity: "high"
cvss: 8.3
epss: 0.00196
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: [{"name": "AOS-8", "fixed": ["8.10.0.24", "8.13.3.1"], "affected": ">= 8.10.0.0, <= 8.10.0.23; >= 8.12.0.0, <= 8.13.3.0", "ecosystem": "vendor"}]
ecosystems: []
tags: ["aos-8", "aruba", "auth-bypass", "hpe", "infrastructure", "network-appliance", "rce", "unauthenticated"]
not_affected_if: ["aos-10-only", "management-interface-not-reachable"]
published_at: "2026-10-22T19:18:00+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-23T21:57:32+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-25T03:19:36+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-79881", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-23T21:57:32+00:00"}, {"source": "epss", "url": "https://api.first.org/data/v1/epss?cve=CVE-2026-79881", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-24T07:15:51+00:00"}, {"source": "analyst", "url": null, "first_seen_at": "2026-10-25T03:19:36+00:00"}]
---

# AOS-8 operating system auth bypass lets remote attacker run code as root

An authentication bypass in the underlying operating system of AOS-8 lets an unauthenticated remote attacker get past existing authentication controls. Successful exploitation can run arbitrary code as a privileged user, giving full control of the device.

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

## Affected

- vendor:AOS-8 affected >= 8.10.0.0, <= 8.10.0.23; >= 8.12.0.0, <= 8.13.3.0 fixed 8.10.0.24, 8.13.3.1

## How to check

Run 'show version' on each Mobility Conductor/Controller/Gateway; affected if on 8.10.0.0-8.10.0.23 or 8.12.0.0-8.13.3.0 (or an older unsupported release). Check whether CLI/web management is reachable from untrusted networks.

## Fix

Upgrade AOS-8 to 8.13.3.1 (8.12/8.13 branch) or 8.10.0.24 (8.10 branch) or later, per HPESBNW05162 as reported by secondary sources; confirm on the HPE page. Interim: restrict CLI and web management to a dedicated L2 segment/VLAN and L3+ firewall policy, enable accounting.

## Timeline

- 2026-10-23T21:57:32+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-79881
- 2026-10-24T07:15:51+00:00 epss https://api.first.org/data/v1/epss?cve=CVE-2026-79881
- 2026-10-25T03:19:36+00:00 analyst — HPE bulletin HPESBNW05162 (22 Oct 2026) page is JS-only/unreadable; affected ranges from CVE.org CNA record (HPE), fixes 8.13.3.1/8.10.0.24 from Cyberpress (secondary). No exploitation or PoC per HPE. Nothing marked verified. Note CVE.org lists 8.12.0.0-8.13.3.0 (OPSWAT says 8.13.0.0+). Settle by reading the bulletin entry.

## 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
- [advisory] CVE Record CVE-2026-79881 (HPE CNA) https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-79881
- [fix] Critical HPE Aruba AOS-8 Vulnerability (cyberpress) https://cyberpress.org/critical-hpe-aruba-aos-8-vulnerability/

## From the sources

An authentication bypass vulnerability in the underlying operating system of AOS-8 could allow an unauthenticated remote attacker to circumvent existing authentication controls. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code as a privileged user on the underlying operating system leading to complete system compromise.

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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_