CVE-2014-8367 in ClearPass Policy Manager
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in Aruba Networks ClearPass Policy Manager (CPPM) 6.2.x, 6.3.x before 6.3.6, and 6.4.x before 6.4.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2018
The CVE-2014-8367 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within Aruba Networks ClearPass Policy Manager software, affecting multiple version ranges including 6.2.x, 6.3.x before 6.3.6, and 6.4.x before 6.4.2. This vulnerability resides in the authentication and authorization framework of the ClearPass Policy Manager, which serves as a central policy enforcement point for network access control. The affected system operates as a_RADIUS server and policy manager that authenticates users and devices attempting to connect to enterprise networks, making it a prime target for attackers seeking persistent access to network infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the application's database interaction layers, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands through unspecified attack vectors that bypass normal authentication procedures.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the ClearPass Policy Manager fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into database queries. This weakness enables attackers to manipulate the underlying database operations through crafted malicious input that gets executed within the database context. The vulnerability specifically affects the authentication modules where user credentials and device information are processed, potentially allowing an attacker to escalate privileges, extract sensitive information, or modify database contents. The unspecified vectors suggest that the attack could occur through various entry points including web interfaces, API endpoints, or network protocol handlers, making the attack surface broader than initially apparent. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89 which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL code into input fields for execution by the database.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise network security as the ClearPass Policy Manager typically serves as a critical component in network access control environments. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to the authentication database, potentially obtaining user credentials, device information, and policy configurations that control network access. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers could manipulate access policies, create backdoor accounts, or disrupt network operations by modifying the authentication database. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the network infrastructure, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on centralized authentication systems. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1190 which covers exploit public-facing application, representing a classic path to persistent access and privilege escalation within network environments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches for versions 6.3.6 and 6.4.2, which address the input validation flaws in the database interaction components. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of web application firewalls and database activity monitoring tools can provide additional layers of protection against SQL injection attacks. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their ClearPass Policy Manager deployments to identify any other potential attack vectors that might exist in the broader network infrastructure. Regular security audits of authentication systems and enforcement points are essential to maintain defense in depth against similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure they can effectively respond to potential exploitation attempts targeting their centralized authentication systems. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust input validation mechanisms in all authentication and authorization systems within enterprise environments.