CVE-2014-6628 in ClearPass Policy Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Aruba Networks ClearPass Policy Manager (CPPM) before 6.5.0 allows remote administrators to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2019
The Aruba Networks ClearPass Policy Manager represents a critical security vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6628 affecting versions prior to 6.5.0. This vulnerability specifically targets the remote administrative capabilities of the ClearPass Policy Manager platform, which serves as a centralized policy enforcement point for network access control and authentication services. The affected system operates within enterprise network security infrastructures where it manages user authentication, authorization, and accounting processes for wireless and wired network access. The vulnerability exists within the administrative interface handling mechanisms that process remote administrative commands and requests. Attackers exploiting this flaw can leverage unspecified vectors to gain unauthorized execution privileges, effectively bypassing the normal authentication and authorization controls that protect the system's core functions. The implications extend beyond simple privilege escalation as this vulnerability allows for complete system compromise through remote code execution capabilities. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that ClearPass Policy Manager typically operates in sensitive network environments where it controls access to critical infrastructure components.
The technical flaw underlying CVE-2014-6628 manifests through improper input validation and privilege handling within the remote administrative subsystem of the ClearPass Policy Manager. This vulnerability likely stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied inputs that flow into system execution paths, creating opportunities for command injection or code execution attacks. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability could be triggered through multiple attack pathways including but not limited to API calls, administrative web interfaces, or network protocol handling mechanisms. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, representing command injection and code execution flaws respectively. These weaknesses allow attackers to inject malicious code that executes with the privileges of the administrative account, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to network resources. The attack requires remote access capabilities and leverages the trust relationship established with legitimate administrative accounts, making detection and prevention particularly challenging.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-6628 extends far beyond simple system compromise, as the ClearPass Policy Manager serves as a central hub for network access control and authentication services. Successful exploitation allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to network resources, potentially enabling them to move laterally within the network infrastructure and escalate privileges to other systems. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from external network locations without requiring physical access to the affected system. Organizations using affected versions of ClearPass Policy Manager face significant risk of unauthorized network access, data breaches, and potential disruption of critical network services. The compromise of this system can lead to widespread security incidents as it controls authentication and authorization for network access, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access to enterprise networks. Network security monitoring systems may not immediately detect exploitation attempts as the malicious activity can appear as legitimate administrative operations, complicating incident response and forensic analysis.
Organizations affected by CVE-2014-6628 should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to Aruba Networks ClearPass Policy Manager version 6.5.0 or later, which contains the necessary security patches. Network segmentation and access controls should be enhanced to limit administrative access to the ClearPass Policy Manager system, reducing the potential attack surface. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining exposure risks, with particular attention to the administrative interfaces and API endpoints. Implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous administrative activities and unusual command execution patterns can help identify exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and execution techniques, highlighting the need for comprehensive monitoring of administrative privileges and command execution activities. Additionally, organizations should review and enforce strict access control policies, implement multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts, and conduct regular security training for personnel managing network access control systems. These measures align with industry best practices for protecting critical network infrastructure components and mitigating the risk of remote code execution vulnerabilities in enterprise security platforms.