CVE-2014-2593 in ClearPass Policy Manager
Summary
by MITRE
The management console in Aruba Networks ClearPass Policy Manager 6.3.0.60730 allows local users to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in certain arguments of a valid command, as demonstrated by the (1) system status-rasession and (2) network ping commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2593 resides within the management console of Aruba Networks ClearPass Policy Manager version 6.3.0.60730, representing a critical command injection flaw that enables local attackers to execute arbitrary system commands. This vulnerability specifically manifests through shell metacharacters embedded in command arguments, exploiting improper input validation mechanisms within the console's command processing pipeline. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it targets legitimate administrative commands, making the exploitation more subtle and harder to detect within network monitoring systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user inputs passed to system commands within the ClearPass Policy Manager's management interface. When local users submit arguments containing shell metacharacters to commands such as system status-rasession and network ping, the application fails to properly escape or validate these inputs before passing them to underlying shell execution functions. This design flaw creates an environment where maliciously crafted input can be interpreted and executed by the system shell, effectively allowing attackers to gain arbitrary command execution privileges. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-78 as "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')", which directly maps to the fundamental weakness enabling this attack vector.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with complete control over the management console system. Local users who can access the console interface can leverage this flaw to execute any command available to the system, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The attack requires only local access to the management console, making it particularly dangerous in environments where console access is not properly restricted or monitored. Network administrators who rely on ClearPass Policy Manager for identity and access management services face significant risk as this vulnerability could allow attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and manipulate the policy enforcement system itself.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-2593 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected ClearPass Policy Manager version to the latest available release from Aruba Networks, which includes proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should implement strict access controls for management console interfaces, ensuring that only authorized personnel have local access and that all console sessions are properly monitored and logged. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to management interfaces from untrusted networks, while implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative access. Additionally, security monitoring should include detection of suspicious command execution patterns and shell metacharacter usage within administrative interfaces, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar input validation weaknesses in other network management systems, as this vulnerability represents a common pattern in enterprise security products that fail to properly sanitize user inputs before system command execution.