CVE-2024-26294: ClearPass Policy Manager RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2024-26294 Overview

CVE-2024-26294 is a command injection vulnerability in the Aruba Networks ClearPass Policy Manager web-based management interface. Authenticated remote attackers can exploit flaws in the interface to execute arbitrary operating system commands on the underlying host. Successful exploitation grants root-level command execution, resulting in complete system compromise of the network access control appliance. The weakness is categorized under CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command.

Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can execute arbitrary commands as root on the ClearPass Policy Manager host, leading to full compromise of the network access control platform.

Affected Products

Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager 6.9.13 and earlier cumulative hotfix patches
Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager 6.10.8 and earlier cumulative hotfix patches
Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager 6.12.0

Discovery Timeline

2024-02-27 - CVE-2024-26294 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-26294

Vulnerability Analysis

The ClearPass Policy Manager web management interface fails to properly neutralize special characters passed to OS-level command handlers. Authenticated users invoke functionality that concatenates user-controlled input into shell commands executed by the underlying operating system. Because the ClearPass management daemon runs privileged code paths, injected commands execute as root.

ClearPass Policy Manager is a network access control (NAC) product used to enforce authentication, authorization, and posture assessment across enterprise networks. Compromise of the appliance exposes RADIUS credentials, TACACS+ configurations, certificate material, and policy definitions governing network access. Attackers who gain root access can pivot into managed network segments and modify enforcement policies.

Root Cause

The vulnerability stems from improper input neutralization in command construction, corresponding to CWE-77. One or more parameters supplied through the authenticated web interface flow into shell invocations without adequate sanitization or safe API use. Shell metacharacters such as ;, |, `, and $() are not filtered, allowing command chaining.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires network access to the ClearPass web management interface and valid low-privilege credentials. The attacker submits crafted parameters through the affected management endpoint. The injected payload is passed to the OS shell and executed with root privileges. See the Aruba Networks Security Alert for vendor-published details.

Because verified proof-of-concept code has not been published, no exploitation snippet is reproduced here. Aruba's advisory should be consulted for the affected endpoints and exact parameter names.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-26294

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected child processes spawned by ClearPass web application processes, such as sh, bash, nc, curl, or wget invoked outside normal administrative workflows.
New or modified files under ClearPass application directories, cron entries, or SSH authorized_keys on the appliance.
Outbound network connections from the ClearPass appliance to unexpected external hosts on non-standard ports.
Anomalous audit log entries showing authenticated sessions executing atypical management operations.

Detection Strategies

Monitor process ancestry on the ClearPass host for shell invocations descending from the web application service account.
Correlate authenticated web session activity with subsequent shell command execution timestamps.
Baseline outbound traffic from ClearPass appliances and alert on deviations, particularly connections initiated by non-standard processes.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable and forward ClearPass system, application, and audit logs to a centralized SIEM for long-term retention and correlation.
Alert on authentication events for low-privilege ClearPass administrative accounts followed by configuration or command execution activity.
Track integrity of critical files on the appliance and alert on unexpected modifications.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-26294

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade ClearPass Policy Manager to a fixed release as identified in the Aruba Networks Security Alert ARUBA-PSA-2024-001.
Restrict access to the ClearPass web management interface to a dedicated management network and trusted administrative jump hosts.
Rotate credentials for all ClearPass administrative accounts and audit low-privilege account membership.
Review authentication logs and audit trails for signs of prior exploitation before patching.

Patch Information

Aruba Networks released fixed versions addressing CVE-2024-26294 in the ARUBA-PSA-2024-001 advisory. Administrators should apply the vendor-supplied cumulative patches for the 6.9.x, 6.10.x, and 6.12.x branches per the vendor guidance. Consult the Aruba Networks Security Alert for the specific fixed release identifiers.

Workarounds

Limit ClearPass web management interface exposure to a dedicated, firewalled management VLAN accessible only to authorized administrators.
Enforce multi-factor authentication for all ClearPass administrative accounts to raise the barrier for authenticated exploitation.
Apply the principle of least privilege by removing unnecessary administrator accounts and reducing role assignments where possible.

bash

# Example: restrict ClearPass management interface exposure at the network perimeter
# Replace <mgmt_subnet> and <clearpass_ip> with environment-specific values
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp -s <mgmt_subnet> -d <clearpass_ip> --dport 443 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp -d <clearpass_ip> --dport 443 -j DROP