CVE-2020-7117 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

ClearPass Policy Manager has a critical authenticated command remote execution vulnerability that allows attackers to execute commands on the underlying operating system remotely.

Understanding CVE-2020-7117

The vulnerability affects ClearPass Policy Manager versions prior to 6.9.1, 6.8.5-HF, and 6.7.13-HF.

What is CVE-2020-7117?

The ClearPass Policy Manager WebUI administrative interface is susceptible to an authenticated command remote execution exploit, enabling attackers already authenticated to the interface to execute commands on the system, leading to remote command execution on the underlying OS.

The Impact of CVE-2020-7117

This vulnerability poses a severe risk as it allows attackers to gain unauthorized access and execute commands on the affected system, potentially leading to a complete compromise of the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-7117

The following technical details provide insight into the vulnerability and its implications.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in ClearPass Policy Manager allows authenticated attackers to execute commands remotely on the underlying operating system through the WebUI administrative interface.

Affected Systems and Versions

ClearPass Policy Manager versions prior to 6.9.1
ClearPass Policy Manager versions prior to 6.8.5-HF
ClearPass Policy Manager versions prior to 6.7.13-HF

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers who are authenticated to the administrative interface can exploit this vulnerability to execute commands on the system remotely, potentially compromising the entire operating system.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-7117 requires immediate action and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the necessary security patches provided by the vendor for ClearPass Policy Manager versions 6.7.13-HF, 6.8.5-HF, 6.8.6, 6.9.1, and higher.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity that could indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strong authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to administrative interfaces.
Regularly update and patch software to address known vulnerabilities and enhance overall system security.

Patching and Updates

Ensure all ClearPass Policy Manager installations are updated to version 6.7.13-HF, 6.8.5-HF, 6.8.6, 6.9.1, or higher to mitigate the CVE-2020-7117 vulnerability.