CVE-2022-23661 in ClearPass Policy Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 05/17/2022
A authenticated remote command injection vulnerability was discovered in Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager version(s): 6.10.4 and below, 6.9.9 and below, 6.8.9-HF2 and below, 6.7.x and below. Aruba has released updates to ClearPass Policy Manager that address this security vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/18/2022
The CVE-2022-23661 vulnerability represents a critical authenticated remote command injection flaw within Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager software across multiple version ranges including 6.10.4 and below, 6.9.9 and below, 6.8.9-HF2 and below, and 6.7.x and below. This vulnerability resides in the authentication and input processing mechanisms of the ClearPass Policy Manager, which serves as a central authentication, authorization, and accounting solution for network access control environments. The flaw allows an attacker with valid credentials to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system through specially crafted inputs that are not properly sanitized or validated. The vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of network access control policies and can potentially lead to complete system compromise.
This command injection vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the ClearPass Policy Manager's web interface and API endpoints. The flaw operates at the application layer and specifically affects how the system processes user-supplied data that is subsequently used in system command execution contexts. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-77 which represents "Command Injection" in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The attack vector requires an authenticated session, meaning an adversary must first obtain valid credentials to the ClearPass Policy Manager system, typically through credential theft, brute force attacks, or privilege escalation from a compromised account. The vulnerability enables attackers to execute operating system commands with the privileges of the ClearPass Policy Manager service account, which often runs with elevated permissions.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-23661 extends beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate network access policies, extract sensitive authentication data, and potentially pivot to other systems within the network infrastructure. Network security teams utilizing ClearPass Policy Manager face significant risk as this vulnerability can be exploited to bypass network access controls, modify user permissions, and gain unauthorized access to protected network resources. The vulnerability's presence in multiple version ranges indicates a widespread exposure across the Aruba ClearPass user base, making it a high-priority target for attackers seeking to compromise enterprise network access control systems. Organizations using affected versions are particularly vulnerable to advanced persistent threats that could leverage this weakness to establish long-term network access and maintain persistence.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-23661 require immediate implementation of Aruba's official security patches and updates for all affected ClearPass Policy Manager versions. Network administrators should prioritize patch management procedures to ensure all systems are updated to the latest secure versions. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict access controls, monitoring for unusual command execution patterns, and conducting regular security assessments of the ClearPass Policy Manager environment. Organizations should also consider network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation and implement intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious activities. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter indicates that exploitation may be detected through monitoring of command execution patterns and unusual network communications originating from the ClearPass Policy Manager system. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in the broader network infrastructure.