CVE-2024-26296 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-2024-26296 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 network access control solution for managing their wireless and wired network infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the application's web interface, creating an avenue for authenticated attackers to inject malicious commands that execute with the highest privileges available on the system. The ClearPass Policy Manager serves as a central management platform for network access policies, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could enable attackers to gain complete control over network access decisions and potentially compromise the entire network infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the web-based management interface where authenticated users can submit specially crafted input that bypasses normal security controls. When the application processes this malicious input without proper sanitization, it allows the execution of arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system with root privileges. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-77 attack pattern category, which specifically addresses command injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into system commands without proper validation or encoding. The attack vector leverages the authenticated session to execute commands that could include shell commands, file operations, or network communications that would otherwise be restricted to authorized administrators. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that the commands execute with root privileges, providing attackers with complete system control including the ability to modify network policies, extract sensitive data, or establish persistent access points within the network environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-26296 extends far beyond simple system compromise, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of organizations relying on ClearPass Policy Manager for network access control. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to manipulate network access policies in real-time, potentially allowing unauthorized users to gain network access while blocking legitimate users from accessing resources. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and could lead to data exfiltration, network disruption, or the establishment of backdoor access points that persist even after the initial attack is detected. Organizations using this solution may find their network segmentation and access control mechanisms completely compromised, as attackers can modify firewall rules, alter user permissions, and potentially pivot to other systems within the network. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to escalate their privileges further, potentially accessing other network management systems or databases that contain sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-26296 should prioritize immediate patching of the ClearPass Policy Manager software to address the command injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the ClearPass management interface, ensuring that only authorized administrators can reach the web-based management interface. Access controls should be strengthened through multi-factor authentication and role-based access controls to minimize the attack surface. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns or unauthorized access attempts to the management interface. The implementation of web application firewalls can provide additional protection by filtering malicious requests before they reach the vulnerable application components. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in other network management systems. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) as attackers would leverage legitimate administrative accounts to exploit the vulnerability while executing commands through the established management interface. Organizations should also implement robust incident response procedures to quickly detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts, including monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns and maintaining detailed audit logs of all management interface activities.