CVE-2017-5826 in Aruba ClearPass
Summary
by MITRE
An authenticated remote code execution 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-2017-5826 represents a critical authenticated remote code execution flaw within HPE Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager version 6.6.x, exposing organizations to significant security risks. This vulnerability resides in the web-based management interface of the ClearPass Policy Manager, which serves as a central authentication and authorization platform for network access control. The affected system operates as a policy enforcement point that manages user authentication, authorization, and accounting for network devices, making it a prime target for adversaries seeking persistent access to enterprise networks.
The technical flaw manifests through improper input validation within the web application's parameter handling mechanisms, specifically in how the system processes user-supplied data in authentication and policy management functions. Attackers with valid credentials can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious input parameters that bypass authentication checks and execute arbitrary code on the target system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user inputs passed to backend processes, creating a path for command injection attacks that leverage the system's trust in authenticated users. This flaw operates under the common weakness enumeration CWE-77 which classifies improper neutralization of special elements used in commands, and more specifically aligns with CWE-94 which addresses execution of arbitrary code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers with legitimate user credentials to gain full system compromise and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web application user, which typically has elevated access to system resources and network policies. This could result in complete system takeover, data exfiltration, and the ability to manipulate network access controls to maintain long-term presence within the organization's network environment. The vulnerability's authenticated nature means that attackers need only valid user credentials to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous as legitimate users may be unknowingly compromised.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches released for ClearPass Policy Manager version 6.6.x, which address the input validation flaws through proper sanitization of user-supplied parameters. Network segmentation and access controls should be enhanced to limit the attack surface, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous authentication patterns and command execution activities. The mitigation strategy should align with the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and execution tactics, specifically targeting techniques such as command and script interpreter execution and privilege escalation through valid accounts. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts and regular security audits of the ClearPass Policy Manager configuration will significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also consider deploying web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious input patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts, as this vulnerability represents a classic example of how authenticated access can be leveraged for remote code execution in enterprise network management systems.