1. Introduction
Aruba VAN SDN Controller is running on the remote host. Aruba Virtual Application Networks (VAN) Software Defined Networking (SDN) controller acts as a unified control point in an OpenFlow-enabled network. This means that if an attacker gains access to this controller, they could potentially disrupt network traffic or gain unauthorized control of connected devices. Confidentiality, integrity and availability may be impacted.
2. Technical Explanation
The Aruba VAN SDN Controller is detected running on the system. The presence of the controller itself isn’t a vulnerability, but indicates a potential attack surface if not properly secured or monitored. There are no known CVEs associated with simply *running* the controller; however, vulnerabilities may exist in its configuration or underlying software. An attacker could exploit misconfigurations or unpatched flaws within the controller to gain control of the network.
- Root cause: The Aruba VAN SDN Controller is installed and running on the host.
- Exploit mechanism: An attacker would need to find a way to access the controller’s management interface, potentially through weak credentials or an unpatched vulnerability. From there they could modify network policies or intercept traffic.
- Scope: Affected platforms are those running Aruba VAN SDN Controller software.
3. Detection and Assessment
You can confirm whether the controller is present by checking for its process or associated services. A thorough method involves examining the configuration files to identify any potential security weaknesses.
- Quick checks: Use the following command to check if the Aruba VAN SDN Controller process is running:
ps -ef | grep van_sdn - Scanning: Nessus vulnerability scanner ID 15dec4a2 can identify this instance. This is an example only, and other scanners may also detect it.
- Logs and evidence: Check system logs for events related to the Aruba VAN SDN Controller service startup or configuration changes.
ps -ef | grep van_sdn4. Solution / Remediation Steps
The following steps outline how to address the detection of the Aruba VAN SDN Controller. These steps focus on verifying its security posture and ensuring it’s properly managed.
4.1 Preparation
- Services: No services need to be stopped for this assessment, but plan for potential downtime if configuration changes are required.
- Dependencies: Ensure you have access to the Aruba VAN SDN Controller documentation and management interface. A roll back plan involves restoring from the backup or snapshot taken earlier.
4.2 Implementation
- Step 1: Review the Aruba VAN SDN Controller configuration for strong passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA).
- Step 2: Ensure the controller is running the latest available version of software with security patches applied.
- Step 3: Verify network access controls are in place to restrict access to the controller’s management interface.
4.3 Config or Code Example
Before
#Example insecure configuration - weak password
admin_password = "default"
After
#Example secure configuration - strong password and MFA enabled
admin_password = "ComplexPassword123!"
mfa_enabled = True
4.4 Security Practices Relevant to This Vulnerability
Several security practices can help mitigate the risks associated with running an SDN controller. Least privilege limits potential damage from compromise, while regular patching addresses known vulnerabilities. Secure defaults reduce the attack surface and input validation prevents malicious data from being processed.
- Practice 1: Implement least privilege to restrict access to the Aruba VAN SDN Controller’s management interface.
- Practice 2: Establish a patch cadence to ensure the controller is running the latest security updates.
4.5 Automation (Optional)
#Example PowerShell script to check password complexity (example only - requires adaptation)
$password = Read-Host "Enter Aruba VAN SDN Controller admin password"
if ($password.Length -lt 8){
Write-Host "Password is too short! Please update."
} else {
Write-Host "Password meets minimum length requirements."
}
5. Verification / Validation
Confirm the fix by re-checking the configuration and verifying that strong passwords are in place, MFA is enabled, and the latest software version is installed. A smoke test should verify normal network operation.
- Post-fix check: Run
ps -ef | grep van_sdnto confirm the controller is still running. - Re-test: Re-run the initial detection method (checking for weak passwords or outdated software) to ensure the issue has been resolved.
- Monitoring: Monitor system logs for any errors related to the Aruba VAN SDN Controller service, which could indicate a regression.
ps -ef | grep van_sdn6. Preventive Measures and Monitoring
Update security baselines to include requirements for strong passwords and MFA on network devices. Incorporate checks in CI/CD pipelines to prevent the deployment of insecure configurations. Establish a regular patch review cycle to address known vulnerabilities promptly.
- Baselines: Update your security baseline or policy to require strong passwords, MFA, and regular patching for all network devices.
- Asset and patch process: Implement a monthly patch review cycle for the Aruba VAN SDN Controller software.
7. Risks, Side Effects, and Roll Back
- Risk or side effect 1: Changing passwords could cause temporary service interruption if users are not notified of the change.
- Risk or side effect 2: Updating software may introduce compatibility issues with other network devices.
8. References and Resources
- Vendor advisory or bulletin: http://www.nessus.org/u?15dec4a2
- NVD or CVE entry: Not applicable for detection of the controller itself.
- Product or platform documentation relevant to the fix: https://support.arubanetworks.com/