Critical Security Flaw Discovered in HPE Instant On Devices, Granting Admin Access
On July 21, 2025, Hewlett-Packard Enterprise (HPE) announced the release of crucial security patches aimed at rectifying a significant vulnerability in its Instant On Access Points. This flaw presents an opportunity for attackers to bypass authentication measures, thereby potentially allowing them to gain unauthorized administrative access to affected systems. The vulnerability is identified as CVE-2025-37103 and has received a concerning CVSS score of 9.8, indicating severe risk.
According to HPE’s advisory, the issue stems from hard-coded login credentials, which can be exploited by anyone aware of these credentials to circumvent the standard authentication processes for these devices. This threat not only exposes sensitive information but also enables remote attackers to exert full administrative control over the systems involved.
Further compounding HPE’s security challenges, the company also patched an authenticated command injection vulnerability in the command-line interface of the Instant On Access Points, classified as CVE-2025-37102, which has a CVSS score of 7.2. This particular flaw could be leveraged by remote attackers possessing elevated permissions to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system as privileged users.
The vulnerabilities primarily target HPE’s Instant On users worldwide, with a significant concentration among businesses relying on these networking devices for seamless operations. The implications of such flaws extend beyond mere data breaches; they have the potential to disrupt operations and compromise sensitive network data.
Within the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, the tactics employed in these attacks could include initial access gained through exploiting hard-coded credentials, as well as privilege escalation through command injection. These techniques represent a serious concern for businesses utilizing HPE technology, emphasizing the need for prompt attention to cybersecurity hygiene.
HPE encourages all users of its Instant On pathways to prioritize the deployment of these security updates before the vulnerabilities can be exploited by malicious actors. Business owners must remain vigilant, ensuring their systems are regularly updated to mitigate the risks posed by such vulnerabilities, which are increasingly prevalent in today’s cyber landscape.
In conclusion, the discovery of these critical flaws serves as a stark reminder of the persistent vulnerabilities faced by network devices. Staying informed and proactive in addressing cybersecurity risks is essential for organizations leveraging technology in their business operations to safeguard against potential breaches.
