CVE-2017-5825 in Aruba ClearPass
Summary
by MITRE
A privilege escalation vulnerability in HPE Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager version 6.6.x was found.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5825 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the HPE Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager platform version 6.6.x. This security weakness allows unauthorized users to gain elevated privileges within the system, potentially enabling them to execute administrative functions and access sensitive data. The ClearPass Policy Manager serves as a central authentication and authorization solution for enterprise networks, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on its services for network access control and policy enforcement.
The technical implementation of this privilege escalation vulnerability stems from inadequate access controls and insufficient input validation mechanisms within the authentication and authorization processes of the ClearPass platform. Attackers can exploit this flaw by manipulating specific parameters or sequences within the authentication flow to bypass normal access restrictions and assume administrative roles within the system. The vulnerability specifically affects the 6.6.x release line, indicating that the flaw was introduced in this version and potentially persisted through various patch levels, though the exact technical mechanism remains tied to the authorization framework implementation.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5825 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation can enable attackers to manipulate network policies, modify user access rights, and potentially gain visibility into sensitive network infrastructure. Organizations utilizing ClearPass for critical network access control may face significant security implications including unauthorized network access, data exfiltration, and potential compromise of the entire network access control infrastructure. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the platform's role in enterprise network security, where it typically controls access to critical resources and enforces security policies across the organization's network.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch application from HPE, as the flaw represents a known security issue that attackers could readily exploit. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to ClearPass systems, deploy additional monitoring controls to detect suspicious authentication patterns, and conduct thorough access control reviews to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and may be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and privilege escalation. Regular security assessments of authentication systems and maintaining updated security controls remain essential for protecting against similar vulnerabilities in network access management platforms.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches in enterprise network infrastructure solutions. The privilege escalation nature of the flaw means that attackers could potentially gain complete administrative control over network access policies, making it essential for organizations to prioritize patch management and security monitoring. The incident highlights the need for continuous security assessment of network access control systems and proper access control implementation in enterprise security infrastructure to prevent unauthorized privilege elevation and maintain network integrity.