CVE-2014-4031 in ClearPass
Summary
by MITRE
The Policy Manager in Aruba Networks ClearPass 5.x, 6.0.x, 6.1.x through 6.1.4.61696, 6.2.x through 6.2.6.62196, and 6.3.x before 6.3.4 allows remote authenticated users to obtain database credentials via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4031 affects the Policy Manager component within Aruba Networks ClearPass solutions across multiple version ranges including 5.x, 6.0.x, 6.1.x through 6.1.4.61696, 6.2.x through 6.2.6.62196, and 6.3.x before 6.3.4. This represents a significant security weakness that enables remote authenticated attackers to extract database credentials, potentially compromising the entire authentication infrastructure. The vulnerability exists within the Policy Manager module which is responsible for managing access policies and authentication rules within the ClearPass platform. The unspecified vectors through which this credential leakage occurs suggest a broad attack surface that could be exploited through various authenticated pathways within the system.
The technical flaw manifests as an insufficient authorization mechanism or improper access controls within the Policy Manager component that fails to adequately protect sensitive database credential information. This weakness allows authenticated users who have legitimate access to the system to escalate their privileges or access unauthorized information through the database credential exposure. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes inadequate access control mechanisms, and represents a classic case of privilege escalation through information disclosure. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially gain unauthorized access to the underlying database, extract sensitive information, and compromise the integrity of the entire authentication system. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft as database access often provides attackers with comprehensive visibility into user accounts, authentication policies, and system configurations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it undermines the fundamental security posture of organizations relying on Aruba Networks ClearPass for network access control. Remote authenticated attackers can leverage this weakness to obtain database credentials and subsequently access sensitive user information, authentication policies, and potentially manipulate access controls. This vulnerability could enable attackers to establish persistent access to the network infrastructure, bypass authentication mechanisms, and perform unauthorized activities within the protected environment. Organizations may experience data breaches, unauthorized network access, and potential compromise of the entire authentication ecosystem. The vulnerability's presence in multiple version ranges indicates a prolonged exposure period, allowing attackers to target organizations using outdated or unpatched systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4031 should prioritize immediate patch application to the affected ClearPass versions, specifically upgrading to versions that have addressed this credential exposure vulnerability. Network administrators should implement additional access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized access attempts to database credentials. The principle of least privilege should be enforced within the Policy Manager component to minimize the potential impact of credential exposure. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify any unauthorized access that may have occurred through this vulnerability. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust monitoring procedures for detecting unauthorized database access. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security controls to prevent unauthorized credential access and maintain system integrity.