External risk intelligence

ClearPass Policy Manager Authentication Bypass Vulnerability.

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.8)

CVE-2026-79796

ClearPass Policy Manager functions as a network access control and identity management system. These platforms are typically deployed as internet-facing or edge-reachable services to manage remote access, authentication, and policy enforcement across enterprise networks, making them a primary gateway interface.

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

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

A critical vulnerability has been identified in ClearPass Policy Manager's interface, potentially allowing unauthorized remote access by bypassing authentication controls. This could enable attackers to gain access to the affected system without proper credentials.

Unauthenticated attackers could bypass network access controls.
Protects sensitive identity and access management functions.
Confirm if ClearPass is internet-facing and relevant.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An unauthenticated remote attacker could potentially reach the vulnerable interface of ClearPass Policy Manager from the network. By exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker could bypass current authentication mechanisms, leading to unauthorized access to the system.

Entry condition: Unauthenticated remote network access.
Trigger point: Vulnerable interface in ClearPass Policy Manager.
Resulting risk: Unauthorized system access.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability in ClearPass Policy Manager could allow an unauthenticated remote attacker to bypass authentication and gain unauthorized access to the affected system when it is exposed to the network.

Unauthorized system access.
Network access bypass.
Compromised network control.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

To address these vulnerabilities, teams responsible for network access control and identity management should take the lead. The first practical step is to confirm the deployment locations of ClearPass Policy Manager, assess its external reachability, and determine its criticality to business operations. Subsequently, identify the accountable system owner and develop a remediation plan based on the identified risks, prioritizing actions that reduce exposure.

Network Access Control and Identity Management teams own this.
Verify external reachability and business criticality.
Plan remediation based on risk exposure.

Supplementary metadata

CVSS vector

Validate whether this threat affects your internet-facing exposure.

Halo Threat Intelligence helps prioritize remediation with Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context. Start exposure validation with a free external attack surface trial.

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Frequently asked questions

What is ClearPass Policy Manager used for?

ClearPass Policy Manager acts as an enterprise's central hub for network access control and identity management. It handles how users and devices connect to a network by enforcing authentication and security policies. Essentially, it serves as a gatekeeper that verifies identities before granting network resources, often acting as a primary interface for remote access.

What does CVE-2026-79796 mean for security?

This CVE describes an authentication bypass vulnerability. In technical terms, it represents a failure in the system's access control logic, allowing an attacker to skip the login process entirely. Instead of validating credentials, the affected interface incorrectly grants access, which could permit an unauthorized party to interact with the system as if they were a legitimate user.

How is this authentication bypass triggered?

An attacker triggers this vulnerability by sending specially crafted network traffic to the vulnerable interface of ClearPass Policy Manager. Because the flaw exists in how the system validates incoming requests, the bypass does not require an existing user account or password. Note that this is a network-level issue; it is not triggered by user actions like opening a file or clicking a link.

Is my ClearPass Policy Manager instance at risk?

If your instance is reachable via the internet, it is at higher risk because attackers can reach the vulnerable interface remotely. Halo Surface Signal identifies ClearPass Policy Manager as a platform typically deployed as an edge-reachable service to manage remote access. If your deployment is exposed to the internet, it serves as a direct entry point for potential unauthorized access.

What steps should I take if I use ClearPass?

Begin by auditing your network configuration to confirm where your ClearPass instances are deployed and whether they are accessible from the internet. Once you have identified all active instances, engage the system owners responsible for identity management to assess the business impact. Use this information to prioritize which systems require immediate protective measures while you await further guidance from the vendor.

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.