CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2022-23025NVD status: Modified

BIG-IP: NULL Pointer Dereference

CVE-2022-23025 is a high-severity NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in BIG-IP, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.9% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 60% of scored CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of BIG-IP you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Read the advisory on support.f5.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  3. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
BIG-IPBIG-IPNot specified in the recordNot stated
F5Big-ip Access Policy Manager13.1.0 through 13.1.4; 14.1.0 through 14.1.4; 15.1.0 through 15.1.3; 16.1.0 through 16.1.1Not stated
F5Big-ip Advanced Firewall Manager13.1.0 through 13.1.4; 14.1.0 through 14.1.4; 15.1.0 through 15.1.3; 16.1.0 through 16.1.1Not stated
F5Big-ip Advanced Web Application Firewall13.1.0 through 13.1.4; 14.1.0 through 14.1.4; 15.1.0 through 15.1.3; 16.1.0 through 16.1.1Not stated
F5Big-ip Analytics13.1.0 through 13.1.4; 14.1.0 through 14.1.4; 15.1.0 through 15.1.3; 16.1.0 through 16.1.1Not stated
F5Big-ip Application Acceleration Manager13.1.0 through 13.1.4; 14.1.0 through 14.1.4; 15.1.0 through 15.1.3; 16.1.0 through 16.1.1Not stated
F5Big-ip Application Security Manager13.1.0 through 13.1.4; 14.1.0 through 14.1.4; 15.1.0 through 15.1.3; 16.1.0 through 16.1.1Not stated
F5Big-ip Ddos Hybrid Defender13.1.0 through 13.1.4; 14.1.0 through 14.1.4; 15.1.0 through 15.1.3; 16.1.0 through 16.1.1Not stated
F5Big-ip Domain Name System13.1.0 through 13.1.4; 14.1.0 through 14.1.4; 15.1.0 through 15.1.3; 16.1.0 through 16.1.1Not stated
F5Big-ip Fraud Protection Service13.1.0 through 13.1.4; 14.1.0 through 14.1.4; 15.1.0 through 15.1.3; 16.1.0 through 16.1.1Not stated
F5Big-ip Global Traffic Manager13.1.0 through 13.1.4; 14.1.0 through 14.1.4; 15.1.0 through 15.1.3; 16.1.0 through 16.1.1Not stated
F5Big-ip Link Controller13.1.0 through 13.1.4; 14.1.0 through 14.1.4; 15.1.0 through 15.1.3; 16.1.0 through 16.1.1Not stated
F5Big-ip Local Traffic Manager13.1.0 through 13.1.4; 14.1.0 through 14.1.4; 15.1.0 through 15.1.3; 16.1.0 through 16.1.1Not stated
F5Big-ip Policy Enforcement Manager13.1.0 through 13.1.4; 14.1.0 through 14.1.4; 15.1.0 through 15.1.3; 16.1.0 through 16.1.1Not stated
F5Big-ip SSL Orchestrator13.1.0 through 13.1.4; 14.1.0 through 14.1.4; 15.1.0 through 15.1.3; 16.1.0 through 16.1.1Not stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
NoneNo data is disclosed.
Integrity
NoneNothing can be modified.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.17.5HighNVD
CVSS 2.04.3MediumNVD

Official description

On BIG-IP version 16.1.x before 16.1.1, 15.1.x before 15.1.4, 14.1.x before 14.1.4.4, and all versions of 13.1.x, when a SIP ALG profile is configured on a virtual server, undisclosed requests can cause the Traffic Management Microkernel (TMM) to terminate. Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: NULL Pointer Dereference

The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • For any pointers that could have been modified or provided from a function that can return NULL, check the pointer for NULL before use. When working with a multithreaded or otherwise asynchronous environment, ensure that proper locking APIs are used to lock before the check, and unlock when it has finished.
  • Select a programming language that is not susceptible to these issues.
  • Check the results of all functions that return a value and verify that the value is non-null before acting upon it.

More NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerabilities (CWE-476)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in BIG-IP

All BIG-IP vulnerabilities

Recent NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerabilities

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