CVE-2015-1550 in ClearPass Policy Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Aruba Networks ClearPass Policy Manager (CPPM) before 6.4.5 allows remote administrators to execute arbitrary files via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2019
The CVE-2015-1550 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within Aruba Networks ClearPass Policy Manager version 6.4.4 and earlier releases. This security weakness specifically affects the authentication and authorization framework that governs network access control policies in enterprise environments. The vulnerability exists within the web-based administrative interface of the ClearPass Policy Manager, which serves as the central management platform for configuring and enforcing network security policies across wireless and wired networks. The affected system processes user inputs without proper validation, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to manipulate file paths and gain unauthorized access to the underlying operating system.
The technical implementation of this directory traversal vulnerability allows remote administrators to exploit unspecified vectors that ultimately lead to arbitrary file execution capabilities. This flaw enables attackers to traverse the file system hierarchy and access sensitive files or execute malicious code on the target system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it targets the administrative interface, which typically operates with elevated privileges and has access to critical system resources. Attackers can leverage this weakness to bypass normal access controls and potentially escalate their privileges to gain full system compromise. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests multiple potential exploitation methods that could include manipulating file path parameters, HTTP headers, or other input validation points within the web application.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on Aruba Networks ClearPass Policy Manager for network security management. The ability to execute arbitrary files remotely compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the entire network infrastructure that the system manages. Organizations may face unauthorized access to sensitive network configurations, user credentials, and policy enforcement mechanisms that could lead to widespread network disruption or data breaches. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the ClearPass Policy Manager, which is responsible for authenticating users and devices attempting to connect to the network, making it a prime target for attackers seeking persistent access to enterprise networks.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including privilege escalation, defense evasion, and command and control operations. Attackers can leverage the directory traversal capability to establish persistent backdoors, modify system files, or install malicious software that maintains access to the compromised system. This vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics of CWE-22 Directory Traversal, which specifically addresses improper input validation that allows attackers to access files outside of the intended directory. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches for ClearPass Policy Manager version 6.4.5 and later releases, implementing network segmentation for the administrative interface, and conducting thorough security audits of all network access control systems. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious file access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.