CVE-2023-25591 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-25591 was published on March 14, 2023, by HPE. It pertains to a vulnerability found in the web-based management interface of ClearPass Policy Manager, which could potentially allow an attacker with low privileges to access sensitive information. The vulnerability was discovered by Luke Young from bugcrowd.com.

Understanding CVE-2023-25591

This section provides an insight into what CVE-2023-25591 entails, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-25591?

CVE-2023-25591 refers to an authenticated information disclosure vulnerability in the ClearPass Policy Manager's web-based management interface. An attacker with low privileges could exploit this vulnerability to access sensitive information, potentially leading to further privilege escalation on the affected instance.

The Impact of CVE-2023-25591

The impact of this vulnerability is considered high as it allows attackers to retrieve sensitive information, compromising the confidentiality of data stored on the ClearPass instance. Although the integrity impact is low, the potential for unauthorized information access poses a significant risk.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-25591

In this section, we delve into the specifics of the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the web-based management interface of ClearPass Policy Manager permits remote attackers authenticated with low privileges to obtain sensitive information. Successful exploitation could grant attackers additional privileges on the ClearPass instance, posing a severe security risk.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts the following versions of Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager:

Version 6.11.1 and below
Version 6.10.8 and below
Version 6.9.13 and below

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability involves leveraging the web-based management interface of ClearPass Policy Manager while authenticated with low privileges. Attackers can access sensitive information to potentially escalate their privileges within the system.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the steps that organizations can take to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-25591 and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should promptly apply security patches provided by Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) to address the vulnerability in Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager. Additionally, restricting access to the web-based management interface and enforcing strong authentication measures can help mitigate the risk of unauthorized information disclosure.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing comprehensive security protocols, conducting regular security audits, and providing ongoing security training to personnel can bolster the overall security posture of the organization. Employing intrusion detection systems and monitoring tools can aid in detecting unauthorized access attempts and suspicious activities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly updating and patching systems, applications, and firmware is crucial to staying protected against known vulnerabilities. Organizations should stay informed about security advisories and promptly apply updates released by vendors to safeguard their systems from potential exploits.