CVE-2026-79810 in ClearPass Policy Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 10/06/2026
Remote code execution vulnerabilities exist in the affected interface of HPE Networking ClearPass Policy Manager that could allow an authenticated remote attacker with high privileges to execute arbitrary code. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2026
The identified vulnerability represents a critical security flaw within the management interface of Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) Networking ClearPass Policy Manager, specifically affecting components that handle administrative requests from authenticated users with high privilege levels. This remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability stems from insufficient validation or sanitization of input data processed by the affected interface, allowing an attacker to inject and execute arbitrary system commands on the underlying operating system hosting the application. The existence of this flaw indicates a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege enforcement at the application layer, where actions intended for administrative management are not sufficiently isolated from direct OS-level execution capabilities.
From a technical perspective, the vulnerability likely involves improper handling of user-supplied input within specific API endpoints or web forms that require elevated authentication credentials. When an attacker with high privileges interacts with these interfaces, they can manipulate parameters to bypass expected application logic and trigger command injection vectors. This allows for the direct invocation of shell commands on the server's operating system, effectively granting the attacker a foothold equivalent to that of the service account running the ClearPass Policy Manager process. The severity is compounded by the fact that exploitation requires authentication with high privileges, which may be attainable through credential theft, privilege escalation within the application, or misconfiguration where administrative accounts are compromised.
The operational impact of successful exploitation is severe and multifaceted. An attacker gaining remote code execution capabilities can fully compromise the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of the ClearPass Policy Manager environment. This includes the ability to exfiltrate sensitive network access policies, user credentials stored within the system, and audit logs that track authentication events across the enterprise network. Furthermore, the compromised server can be used as a pivot point for lateral movement into other parts of the internal infrastructure, potentially leading to widespread network compromise. The attacker could also install persistent backdoors, modify security configurations to disable monitoring or access controls, or disrupt critical identity and access management services essential for organizational operations.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-78 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command (OS Command Injection) as it involves the execution of arbitrary commands via unsanitized input. In terms of offensive security frameworks, this flaw facilitates ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, allowing attackers to leverage system utilities for further exploitation. It also relates to MITRE ATT&CK tactic TA0004 Privilege Escalation if the exploited service runs with elevated permissions that are then leveraged by the attacker. Additionally, it impacts confidentiality under CWE-200 Information Exposure and integrity under CWE-369 Denial of Service via crash or corruption if malicious commands disrupt system stability.
Mitigation strategies must prioritize immediate patching to the latest version of HPE ClearPass Policy Manager that addresses this specific vulnerability, as provided by the vendor in their security advisories. Organizations should also enforce strict network segmentation to limit access to the management interface only from trusted administrative workstations or jump hosts using multi-factor authentication. Regular audits of user privileges are essential to ensure that high-privilege accounts are strictly controlled and monitored for anomalous activity. Implementing web application firewalls with rules specifically targeting command injection patterns can provide an additional layer of defense, although reliance on patching remains the primary remediation step. Continuous monitoring of system logs for unusual process executions or outbound connections from the ClearPass server is also recommended to detect potential exploitation attempts early.