CVE-2024-26295 in Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 02/28/2024
Vulnerabilities in the ClearPass Policy Manager web-based management interface allow remote authenticated users to run arbitrary commands on the underlying host. A successful exploit could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary commands as root on the underlying operating system leading to complete system compromise.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-26295 represents a critical command injection flaw within the ClearPass Policy Manager web-based management interface. This security weakness affects organizations that rely on Aruba's ClearPass Policy Manager for network access control and policy enforcement. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the web interface, allowing authenticated users to manipulate system commands through crafted input parameters. The flaw exists in the way the application processes user-supplied data, particularly in areas where system commands are constructed or executed based on user input without proper sanitization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves an authenticated attacker leveraging the web interface to inject malicious commands that are subsequently executed on the underlying host operating system. This command injection occurs when user-provided data is directly incorporated into system command execution contexts without adequate validation or escaping mechanisms. The vulnerability is classified as a command injection issue under CWE-77, which specifically addresses situations where untrusted data is used to construct operating system commands. Attackers can exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web application process, which typically runs with elevated privileges on the host system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to full system compromise, as successful exploitation allows attackers to execute commands with root privileges. This level of access enables comprehensive system control including but not limited to data exfiltration, system modification, privilege escalation to other network components, and establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire network access control infrastructure, potentially allowing attackers to bypass security policies and gain unauthorized access to network resources. Organizations utilizing ClearPass Policy Manager may experience complete compromise of their network security posture, as the attacker can manipulate access policies, monitor network traffic, and potentially pivot to other systems within the network.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-26295 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Aruba, as this represents a critical vulnerability requiring urgent attention. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the ClearPass Policy Manager interface, restrict authentication to only necessary personnel, and monitor for suspicious command execution patterns. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that administrative accounts have minimal necessary permissions and that all user sessions are properly audited. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically focusing on the execution of system commands through web interfaces. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other network management systems and ensure comprehensive protection against similar attack vectors.