External risk intelligence

ClearPass Policy Manager SQL Injection Allows Database Command Execution.

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.1)

CVE-2026-79794

ClearPass Policy Manager is a network access control and management appliance. These products are commonly deployed as edge-facing gateways or centralized management portals in network environments, making the web-based management interface reachable over the network in many common deployment scenarios.

SQL Injection

Halo Surface Signal: 4 out of 5 — likely to be public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

A SQL injection vulnerability has been identified in the web-based management interface of ClearPass Policy Manager. This could permit an authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary database commands, potentially impacting data integrity and availability. The main concern is confirming relevance and exposure.

Allows attackers to run database commands.
Critical flaw impacts network access control systems.
Verify if ClearPass Policy Manager is in use.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An attacker with existing administrative access to the web interface of ClearPass Policy Manager could craft a malicious SQL query. This query would be sent to the management interface, targeting the vulnerable component. Successful injection allows the attacker to execute arbitrary database commands, potentially leading to significant data compromise or system control.

Requires authenticated access to the web interface.
Triggered by sending a crafted SQL query.
Risk: Arbitrary database command execution.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

A SQL injection vulnerability in ClearPass Policy Manager's web interface could allow an authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary database commands, potentially impacting the integrity and availability of the management system. This risk is present when the web-based management interface is accessible.

Database commands and system integrity.
Via authenticated remote SQL injection attacks.
Compromised service availability and data manipulation.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

The web-based management interface of ClearPass Policy Manager, a network access control system, is susceptible to SQL injection. This vulnerability could allow an authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary database commands. Technical leaders should prioritize identifying all ClearPass Policy Manager instances, assessing their reachability and business criticality, and confirming ownership before planning remediation.

Network and platform teams likely own the issue.
Verify ClearPass Policy Manager network exposure and reachability.
Plan remediation and vendor coordination for affected instances.

Supplementary metadata

CVSS vector

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Frequently asked questions

What is ClearPass Policy Manager?

ClearPass Policy Manager is a network access control and management platform. It helps organizations manage device connectivity, enforce security policies, and authenticate users or devices before they access network resources. It acts as a gatekeeper, centralizing policy decisions across complex network environments.

What does SQL injection mean for CVE-2026-79794?

SQL injection is a software weakness where an application fails to properly filter user input before including it in a database query. In this CVE, it means an attacker could manipulate the input fields of the web management interface to trick the system into running unauthorized, arbitrary database commands instead of legitimate administrative tasks.

How is this vulnerability triggered?

An attacker triggers the vulnerability by sending a specifically crafted SQL query through the web-based management interface. It is important to note that this requires the attacker to already have valid administrative credentials. The vulnerability is not triggered by simple, unauthenticated web traffic; it specifically requires authorized access to the administrative console.

Do I need to worry if my instance is internal?

Yes, you should still evaluate the risk. According to Halo Surface Signal, ClearPass Policy Manager is often deployed as an edge-facing gateway, but even internal management portals remain attractive targets. Because the interface is designed for administrative control, any compromise here can have systemic impact regardless of whether the portal is exposed to the public internet or restricted to an internal network.

How should I respond to this threat?

Your first step is to identify every instance of ClearPass Policy Manager running in your environment. Coordinate with your platform and network teams to verify which systems are reachable. Once you have a complete inventory, assess their business criticality and wait for official vendor guidance or patches from the manufacturer to address the underlying vulnerability.

References

support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docId=hpesbnw05158en_us&docLo…

Written by Nicholas Merritt

Nicholas Merritt is VP of Security Solutions at Halo Security. With more than 25 years across application security, vulnerability prioritization, and offensive security, he helps teams translate threat data into practical exposure validation and remediation focus. He authors Halo Threat Intelligence CVE advisories using Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context to prioritize internet-facing risk.