CVE-2015-3656 in ClearPass Policy Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Aruba Networks ClearPass Policy Manager before 6.4.7 and 6.5.x before 6.5.2 allows remote authenticated lower-level administrators to gain privileges by leveraging failure to properly enforce authorization checks.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3656 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Aruba Networks ClearPass Policy Manager software. This issue affects versions prior to 6.4.7 and 6.5.2, specifically targeting the authorization enforcement mechanisms that govern administrative access controls. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user permissions during critical administrative operations, allowing lower-level authenticated users to execute actions typically restricted to higher-privileged accounts. This flaw fundamentally undermines the principle of least privilege that forms the cornerstone of secure administrative systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through improper authorization checking mechanisms within the ClearPass Policy Manager's administrative interface. When lower-level administrators attempt to perform specific administrative functions, the system fails to properly validate whether these users possess the necessary permissions to execute such operations. This weakness enables malicious or compromised lower-level accounts to escalate their privileges and gain access to restricted administrative functions. The flaw operates at the application layer and affects the authentication and authorization framework, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited remotely by authenticated users who are not authorized to perform the elevated actions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, creating significant security risks for organizations relying on ClearPass Policy Manager for network access control. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could potentially gain access to sensitive network configurations, modify user access policies, disable security controls, or even gain complete administrative control over the network access management system. This represents a serious threat to network security infrastructure, as the ClearPass Policy Manager typically serves as a central point for managing network access policies and user authentication. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to bypass the multi-level administrative security model that should prevent unauthorized access to critical network management functions.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to the patched versions 6.4.7 and 6.5.2, which contain proper authorization enforcement mechanisms. Network administrators should also conduct thorough audits of administrative user accounts and permissions to identify any potential exploitation that may have already occurred. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control in software systems, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege that is fundamental to information security. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation through unauthorized access to administrative functions. Additional mitigations include implementing network segmentation to limit access to ClearPass Policy Manager systems, enabling comprehensive logging and monitoring of administrative activities, and conducting regular security assessments to detect potential unauthorized access attempts.