- CVE ID: CVE-2025-37164
- Product: Hewlett Packard Enterprise OneView
- Vulnerability Type: Code Injection leading to Remote Code Execution
- Related CWE: CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code)
- CVSS v3.x Base Score: Not yet publicly scored; based on exploit conditions and impact, the expected rating is Critical
- Severity: Critical
- Attack Vector: Network
- Authentication Required: None
- User Interaction: None
- Exploitability: High
- Exploit Availability: No public exploit or proof-of-concept has been confirmed so far
- Known Ransomware Use: Unknown at this time
- CISA KEV Catalog Date Added: 2026-01-07
- Remediation Due Date (per KEV): 2026-01-28
What Is the Issue?
Hewlett Packard Enterprise OneView is a centralized infrastructure management platform used to manage servers, storage, and networking components through a single management interface.
CVE-2025-37164 is a code injection vulnerability that allows a remote, unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary system-level commands on the OneView appliance.
The root cause of the issue is insufficient validation of user-supplied input that is later handled in an execution context. Under certain conditions, attacker-controlled input is processed in a way that allows it to be interpreted as executable code rather than treated strictly as data.
OneView typically operates with elevated privileges and maintains trusted access to critical infrastructure resources. Because of this level of access, a successful exploit does not remain limited to the management appliance itself.
If the OneView management interface is reachable from untrusted networks, exploitation can occur without valid credentials and without user interaction, significantly increasing risk.
How Could This Be Exploited?
The vulnerability is triggered when OneView fails to properly sanitize, validate, or restrict specific input fields before processing them internally.
A realistic exploitation scenario includes:
- An attacker identifies an exposed OneView management interface, commonly accessible over HTTPS
- A specially crafted request is sent to a vulnerable API endpoint or management function
- Malicious input is interpreted as executable code rather than plain text
- Injected commands execute with the privileges of the OneView service
After exploitation, an attacker may be able to:
- Execute arbitrary operating system commands
- Access or extract stored credentials and secrets
- Modify server, storage, or network configurations
- Deploy additional malicious tooling or persistence mechanisms
- Use OneView as a pivot point for lateral movement
Because OneView maintains trusted relationships with hardware platforms, hypervisors, and management networks, this vulnerability can enable data center–wide compromise rather than a single-system incident.
MITRE ATT&CK Mapping
Primary Techniques:
- TA0001 – Initial Access
- T1190: Exploit Public-Facing Application
- TA0002 – Execution
- T1059: Command and Scripting Interpreter
- TA0004 – Privilege Escalation
- T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation
- TA0008 – Lateral Movement
- T1021: Remote Services
- TA0006 – Credential Access
- T1552: Unsecured Credentials
Proof of Concept (PoC) Status
Public PoC:
No publicly available proof-of-concept code has been identified.
Exploit Framework Integration:
No known integration into public exploit frameworks has been observed.
Risk Considerations:
- No authentication is required
- The impact allows direct remote code execution
- OneView’s centralized and high-privilege role increases attacker value
Historically, vulnerabilities with these characteristics are often weaponized shortly after technical details become available.
Detection and Monitoring Guidance
What to Look For
Detection should focus on management-plane activity, not just endpoint telemetry.
Potential indicators include:
- Unexpected or malformed POST or PUT requests to OneView API endpoints
- Abnormally long, encoded, or obfuscated HTTP parameters
- Use of shell metacharacters such as
;,|,&&,$(), or backticks - OneView services spawning shells or command interpreters unexpectedly
- New outbound network connections from the OneView appliance that do not align with normal operations
Example Payload Patterns
The following patterns are intended for detection only, not exploitation:
- Command-chaining characters embedded in request parameters
- Base64-encoded or URL-encoded command strings where plain input is expected
- Attempts to write files to
/tmp,/var, or appliance-specific directories
Detection Rules
Network and WAF Controls
- Alert on HTTP requests to OneView endpoints containing:
- Shell metacharacters
- Unexpected encoding or parameter manipulation
- Restrict OneView API access to trusted management networks only
- Block or alert on unauthenticated requests from untrusted IP ranges
SIEM and Log Analytics
Correlate:
- Web and API access logs with system and process execution logs
- Configuration changes occurring outside approved maintenance windows
Trigger alerts when:
- OneView services spawn shell or scripting processes
- Unexpected outbound connections originate from the appliance
- Privileged actions occur without corresponding authentication events
Recommended Log Sources
- OneView application and service logs
- OneView audit and access logs
- Web server or reverse proxy logs, if applicable
- Network firewall logs
- IDS and IPS telemetry
- Operating system process creation and command execution logs
Mitigation and Remediation
Immediate Actions
Apply Vendor Patch
Install the latest security update released by Hewlett Packard Enterprise for OneView.
Restrict Network Exposure
Ensure OneView management interfaces are not internet-accessible.
Limit access to trusted and segmented management networks.
Credential Hygiene
Review and rotate credentials stored or managed by OneView after patching.
Enhanced Monitoring
Increase logging and monitoring until remediation is fully validated.
Official Patch Link
HPE Security Bulletin and Patch Portal:
https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/home
Search for the OneView advisory associated with CVE-2025-37164 to confirm affected versions and apply the fix.
Final Takeaway
CVE-2025-37164 is a high-impact, low-complexity vulnerability affecting a core infrastructure management platform.
The lack of authentication requirements combined with direct remote code execution significantly increases exploitation risk.
Its inclusion in the CISA KEV catalog confirms that this vulnerability represents a real and actionable threat.
If left unpatched, this issue may lead to:
- Complete takeover of managed infrastructure
- Exposure or theft of credentials and sensitive data
- Use of OneView as an entry point for ransomware or destructive attacks
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately or remove the product from service if mitigation cannot be completed before the KEV-mandated deadline.
