CVE-2005-2631 in Clean Access
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Clean Access (CCA) 3.3.0 to 3.3.9, 3.4.0 to 3.4.5, and 3.5.0 to 3.5.3 does not properly authenticate users when invoking API methods, which could allow remote attackers to bypass security checks, change the assigned role of a user, or disconnect users.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2019
Cisco Clean Access authentication bypass vulnerability affects versions 3.3.0 through 3.3.9, 3.4.0 through 3.4.5, and 3.5.0 through 3.5.3 of the network access control solution. This weakness stems from improper authentication validation within the application programming interface methods, creating a critical security gap that allows unauthorized remote exploitation. The vulnerability resides in the API authentication mechanism where the system fails to properly verify user credentials before executing privileged operations. Attackers can exploit this flaw to manipulate user roles, disconnect authenticated users, or bypass the intended security controls entirely. The issue represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and authentication requirements that should be enforced at every API endpoint. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems, specifically targeting authentication bypass scenarios where security checks are circumvented through flawed validation mechanisms. The attack surface extends across network access control environments where Cisco Clean Access serves as the primary authentication and authorization framework for network connectivity. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to network resources, manipulate user permissions, and disrupt legitimate network operations. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where network access control systems are critical for maintaining security boundaries and enforcing access policies. The authentication bypass allows attackers to perform actions such as role modification, user disconnection, and potentially full administrative access to the network access control system. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and credential access tactics, specifically targeting the execution of unauthorized commands through API interfaces. Organizations using affected Cisco Clean Access versions face significant risk of unauthorized network access and potential lateral movement within their infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the API security design where authentication checks are either absent or insufficiently enforced. Security controls that should prevent unauthorized modifications to user roles and network access permissions are rendered ineffective. Remediation requires immediate patching of affected Cisco Clean Access installations to versions that properly implement authentication validation for all API methods. Organizations should also implement network segmentation, monitor API access logs for suspicious activities, and review access controls to minimize the impact of potential exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper authentication implementation in network security systems and the critical need for comprehensive security testing of API interfaces. Without proper authentication enforcement, even well-designed network access control systems can be compromised through simple API manipulation techniques. This issue underscores the necessity of following secure coding practices and implementing robust authentication mechanisms at all levels of network security infrastructure. The affected versions represent a significant security gap that could allow attackers to completely bypass the intended security controls of the network access management system.