# CVE-2026-79809: HPE ClearPass Policy Manager path traversal in API endpoint

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-79809-an-unauthenticated-path-traversal-vulnerability-exists-in-an-api  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-06. Updated: 2026-10-06  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-79809 · Severity: high · CVSS 7.3 · Published 2026-10-06

ClearPass Policy Manager is an access control solution that manages network authentication and authorization. An unauthenticated attacker can exploit a path traversal vulnerability in an API endpoint to bypass authentication and gain unauthorized access with privileges or roles they should not have, potentially compromising network security policies and access controls.

Technologies: [Hpe ClearPass Policy Manager](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/hpe-clearpass-policy-manager). Vendors: [Hpe](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/hpe).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-79809 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-79809 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-79809?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 7.3, published 6 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** HPE ClearPass Policy Manager.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-79809?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-79809 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-79809?** Check whether you run Hpe ClearPass Policy Manager. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

An unauthenticated path traversal vulnerability in an API endpoint of ClearPass Policy Manager allows a remote attacker to traverse the filesystem or access unintended resources without authentication. Successful exploitation enables the attacker to manipulate authorization decisions and escalate privileges by obtaining unintended roles, potentially compromising access control enforcement across the network.

## Affected products

- HPE ClearPass Policy Manager

## Timeline

- 2026-10-06: disclosed

## References

- [https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docId=hpesbnw05158en_us&docLocale=en_US](https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docId=hpesbnw05158en_us&docLocale=en_US)

## Related threats

- [HPE ClearPass Policy Manager API authentication bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-79818-a-vulnerability-in-an-api-interface-of-clearpass-policy-manager)
- [HPE ClearPass Policy Manager client information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-79817-a-sensitive-information-disclosure-vulnerability-exists-in-the)
- [HPE Networking ClearPass Policy Manager DOM-based XSS in client interface](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-79816-a-vulnerability-in-a-client-interface-of-hpe-networking-clearpass)
- [HPE ClearPass Policy Manager OnGuard agent denial of service](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-79812-a-denial-of-service-vulnerability-exists-in-the-onguard-agent-of)
- [HPE ClearPass Policy Manager API SQL injection](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-79811-a-sql-injection-vulnerability-in-the-api-of-clearpass-policy)