CVE-2022-23692 is a high-severity authenticated SQL injection vulnerability affecting Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager versions 6.10.x (6.10.6 and below) and 6.9.x (6.9.11 and below). The vulnerability exists in the web-based management interface of ClearPass Policy Manager, which is a network access control solution widely used to enforce security policies and manage network access for devices and users. An authenticated remote attacker with legitimate access to the management interface can exploit this SQL injection flaw to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database. This could allow the attacker to read, modify, or delete sensitive data stored in the database, including user credentials, network policies, and configuration settings. Successful exploitation could lead to a complete compromise of the ClearPass Policy Manager cluster, enabling the attacker to manipulate network access controls, escalate privileges, and potentially pivot to other parts of the network. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command), indicating that user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into SQL queries. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity, requiring only low privileges (authenticated user) and no user interaction. Aruba has released patches to address this vulnerability, and organizations running affected versions are strongly advised to upgrade to the fixed versions to mitigate risk. No known public exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be significant, especially for enterprises, government agencies, and critical infrastructure operators that rely on Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager for network access control and security policy enforcement. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, manipulation of network access policies, and disruption of network services. This could result in data breaches, unauthorized network access by malicious actors, and potential lateral movement within corporate networks. Given the central role of ClearPass in managing network authentication and authorization, a compromise could undermine the overall security posture of the affected organization. This is particularly critical for sectors with stringent regulatory requirements such as finance, healthcare, and public administration in Europe, where data protection and network security are paramount. Additionally, disruption or compromise of network access controls could impact operational continuity and lead to regulatory penalties under frameworks like GDPR if personal data is exposed.

1. Immediate upgrade to the latest patched versions of Aruba ClearPass Policy Manager beyond 6.10.6 and 6.9.11 to eliminate the vulnerability. 2. Restrict access to the ClearPass management interface to trusted administrators only, using network segmentation and firewall rules to limit exposure. 3. Implement strong multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users accessing the management interface to reduce the risk of credential compromise. 4. Monitor ClearPass logs and network traffic for unusual or unauthorized SQL queries or administrative actions that could indicate exploitation attempts. 5. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability scans on ClearPass deployments to detect misconfigurations or outdated software versions. 6. Employ web application firewalls (WAF) with custom rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns targeting ClearPass interfaces. 7. Educate administrators on secure management practices and the importance of applying security patches promptly. 8. Maintain offline backups of ClearPass configurations and databases to enable recovery in case of compromise.