PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief
CVE-2026-79800 Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) CVE debrief
An authenticated path traversal vulnerability exists in ClearPass Policy Manager, allowing low-privileged remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. Defenders should assess exposure, prioritize remediation, and verify affected versions. The vulnerability exists in the command line interface, and defenders should review the supplied official advisory or CVE record to validate affected scope, severity, and vendor guidance. They should also plan vendor-supported updates or mitigations through normal change control where exposure is confirmed.
- Vendor
- Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)
- Product
- ClearPass Policy Manager (CPPM)
- CVSS
- HIGH 8.8
- CISA KEV
- Not listed in stored evidence
- Original CVE published
- 2026-10-06
- Original CVE updated
- 2026-10-07
- Advisory published
- 2026-10-06
- Advisory updated
- 2026-10-07
Who should care
Defenders responsible for ClearPass Policy Manager instances, particularly those with version 6.14.0 or earlier, should assess exposure and prioritize remediation. This includes operators, platform administrators, vulnerability management teams, and security teams who need to verify affected versions and plan remediation efforts.
Why it matters
An authenticated path traversal vulnerability in ClearPass Policy Manager allows low-privileged remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, requiring defenders to assess exposure, prioritize remediation, and verify affected versions.
- Remote code execution with elevated privileges
- Potential for lateral movement and further exploitation
- Need for version verification and remediation prioritization
- Limited information available on exploitation and affected scope
Technical summary
The vulnerability exists in the command line interface of ClearPass Policy Manager, allowing low-privileged authenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges on the underlying operating system. This requires defenders to assess exposure, prioritize remediation, and verify affected versions. The CVE record was published on 2026-10-06T19:17:04.072Z and has not been modified since then. Defenders should review compensating controls for exposed systems while remediation is scheduled and verified.
Defensive priority
High priority for remediation due to high CVSS score and potential for remote code execution
Recommended defensive actions
- Confirm whether affected product deployments exist in managed environments and assign an owner for follow-up.
- Review the supplied official advisory or CVE record to validate affected scope, severity, and vendor guidance.
- Plan vendor-supported updates or mitigations through normal change control where exposure is confirmed.
- Review compensating controls for exposed systems while remediation is scheduled and verified.
- Check relevant monitoring, detection, and logs for exposed assets that need extra review.
- Track exceptions, retest remediated assets, and close the item only after evidence is documented.
- Verify version 6.14.0 or later is deployed
Evidence notes
The CVE record and source item provide details on the vulnerability, but limited information is available on affected versions and exploitation. Defenders should confirm whether affected product deployments exist in managed environments and assign an owner for follow-up. They should also check relevant monitoring, detection, and logs for exposed assets that need extra review.
Sources and references
Verified primary and authoritative sources
-
CVE-2026-79800 CVE Program record
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-79800
CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.
-
CVE-2026-79800 NVD vulnerability detail
Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified
URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-79800
NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.
Supplemental references
-
Authenticated Path Traversal Vulnerability Leads to Remote Code Execution in ClearPass Policy Ma
Unverified legacy reference
URL: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/main/cves/2026/79xxx/CVE-2026-79800.json
cve_program_cvelist_v5
Methodology and review provenance
AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.