In BIG-IP Versions 16.1.x before 16.1.3.1 and 15.1.x before 15.1.6.1, and all versions of…
CVE-2022-34844 is a high-severity improper input validation vulnerability in BIG-IP from F5, 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. The record lists versions 15.1.6.1, 16.1.3.1 as the first without the flaw, so updating BIG-IP to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.74% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 55% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update BIG-IP to 15.1.6.1 or 16.1.3.1, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update BIG-IQ Centralized Management to 8.x* or a later version.
- Update Big-ip Access Policy Manager to 15.1.6.1 or 16.1.3.1, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on support.f5.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| F5 | BIG-IP | 15.1.x up to, but not including, 15.1.6.1; 16.1.x up to, but not including, 16.1.3.1 | 15.1.6.1, 16.1.3.1 |
| F5 | BIG-IQ Centralized Management | 8.0.0 up to, but not including, 8.x* | 8.x* |
| F5 | Big-ip Access Policy Manager | 15.1.0 up to, but not including, 15.1.6.1; 16.1.0 up to, but not including, 16.1.3.1 | 15.1.6.1, 16.1.3.1 |
| F5 | Big-ip Advanced Firewall Manager | 15.1.0 up to, but not including, 15.1.6.1; 16.1.0 up to, but not including, 16.1.3.1 | 15.1.6.1, 16.1.3.1 |
| F5 | Big-ip Analytics | 15.1.0 up to, but not including, 15.1.6.1; 16.1.0 up to, but not including, 16.1.3.1 | 15.1.6.1, 16.1.3.1 |
| F5 | Big-ip Application Acceleration Manager | 15.1.0 up to, but not including, 15.1.6.1; 16.1.0 up to, but not including, 16.1.3.1 | 15.1.6.1, 16.1.3.1 |
| F5 | Big-ip Application Security Manager | 15.1.0 up to, but not including, 15.1.6.1; 16.1.0 up to, but not including, 16.1.3.1 | 15.1.6.1, 16.1.3.1 |
| F5 | Big-ip Domain Name System | 15.1.0 up to, but not including, 15.1.6.1; 16.1.0 up to, but not including, 16.1.3.1 | 15.1.6.1, 16.1.3.1 |
| F5 | Big-ip Fraud Protection Service | 15.1.0 up to, but not including, 15.1.6.1; 16.1.0 up to, but not including, 16.1.3.1 | 15.1.6.1, 16.1.3.1 |
| F5 | Big-ip Global Traffic Manager | 15.1.0 up to, but not including, 15.1.6.1; 16.1.0 up to, but not including, 16.1.3.1 | 15.1.6.1, 16.1.3.1 |
| F5 | Big-ip Link Controller | 15.1.0 up to, but not including, 15.1.6.1; 16.1.0 up to, but not including, 16.1.3.1 | 15.1.6.1, 16.1.3.1 |
| F5 | Big-ip Local Traffic Manager | 15.1.0 up to, but not including, 15.1.6.1; 16.1.0 up to, but not including, 16.1.3.1 | 15.1.6.1, 16.1.3.1 |
| F5 | Big-ip Policy Enforcement Manager | 15.1.0 up to, but not including, 15.1.6.1; 16.1.0 up to, but not including, 16.1.3.1 | 15.1.6.1, 16.1.3.1 |
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 system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 5.9 | Medium | CNA (f5.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
Official description
In BIG-IP Versions 16.1.x before 16.1.3.1 and 15.1.x before 15.1.6.1, and all versions of BIG-IQ 8.x, when the Data Plane Development Kit (DPDK)/Elastic Network Adapter (ENA) driver is used with BIG-IP or BIG-IQ on Amazon Web Services (AWS) systems, undisclosed traffic can cause the Traffic Management Microkernel (TMM) to terminate. Successful exploitation relies on conditions outside of the attacker's control. 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: Improper Input Validation
The product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Consider using language-theoretic security (LangSec) techniques that characterize inputs using a formal language and build recognizers for that language. This effectively requires parsing to be a distinct layer that effectively enforces a boundary between raw input and internal data representations, instead of allowing parser code to be scattered throughout the program, where it could be subject to errors or inconsistencies that create weaknesses.
- Use an input validation framework such as Struts or the OWASP ESAPI Validation API. Note that using a framework does not automatically address all input validation problems; be mindful of weaknesses that could arise from misusing the framework itself (CWE-1173).
- Understand all the potential areas where untrusted inputs can enter the product, including but not limited to: parameters or arguments, cookies, anything read from the network, environment variables, reverse DNS lookups, query results, request headers, URL components, e-mail, files, filenames, databases, and any external systems that provide data to the application. Remember that such inputs may be obtained indirectly through API calls.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Other vulnerabilities in BIG-IP
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F5 BIG-IP APM Heap-based Buffer Overflow Exploited
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Recent Improper Input Validation vulnerabilities
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