CVE-2017-5828 in Aruba ClearPass
Summary
by MITRE
An arbitrary command 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-2017-5828 represents a critical arbitrary command execution flaw within HPE Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager version 6.6.x, exposing organizations to significant security risks. This issue stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that allow malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. The vulnerability specifically impacts the web-based administration interface of ClearPass Policy Manager, which serves as the primary management console for configuring and monitoring network access policies. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially malformed requests that bypass authentication mechanisms and directly interact with underlying system commands. The flaw exists in the way the application processes user-supplied data within specific API endpoints, particularly those handling device configuration and policy management functions. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, which respectively address command injection and code injection flaws that enable attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5828 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized network access. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute commands with the privileges of the web server process, potentially gaining access to sensitive network infrastructure, user credentials, and confidential policy data. The attack surface includes all systems running affected ClearPass Policy Manager versions, with particular risk to organizations that rely heavily on network access control and policy enforcement. The vulnerability can be leveraged to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and potentially move laterally within the network environment. Organizations utilizing ClearPass for critical network access control functions face heightened risk, as the compromise of this system can result in unauthorized network access and potential data breaches. This vulnerability particularly aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to command and control, privilege escalation, and lateral movement, making it a significant concern for security operations teams.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5828 require immediate action to address the root cause through proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement the vendor-provided security patches and updates as soon as they become available, as these typically include enhanced input sanitization and command execution restrictions. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of the ClearPass management interface to trusted networks only. Regular monitoring of system logs and network traffic should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts, with particular attention to unusual command execution patterns and authentication failures. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious requests before they reach the vulnerable application components. Additionally, privileged account management should be reviewed to ensure least privilege principles are enforced, and multi-factor authentication should be implemented where possible to reduce the impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices, as recommended in industry standards such as OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Organizations should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in their network infrastructure and ensure comprehensive security coverage.