CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2022-41617NVD status: Modified

BIG-IP Advanced WAF & ASM: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2022-41617 is a high-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in a command vulnerability in BIG-IP Advanced WAF & ASM from F5, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with administrator privileges, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 16.1.3.1, 15.1.6.1, 14.1.5.1 as the first without the flaw, so updating BIG-IP Advanced WAF & ASM to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.44% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 74% of scored CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update BIG-IP Advanced WAF & ASM to 16.1.3.1 or 15.1.6.1 or 14.1.5.1 or 13.1.5.1, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
  2. Update Big-ip Advanced Web Application Firewall to 13.1.5.1 or 14.1.5.1 or 15.1.6.1 or 16.1.3.1, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
  3. Update Big-ip Application Security Manager to 13.1.5.1 or 14.1.5.1 or 15.1.6.1 or 16.1.3.1, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
  4. Read the advisory on support.f5.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
F5BIG-IP Advanced WAF & ASM16.1.x up to, but not including, 16.1.3.1; 15.1.x up to, but not including, 15.1.6.1; 14.1.x up to, but not including, 14.1.5.1; 13.1.x up to, but not including, 13.1.5.116.1.3.1, 15.1.6.1, 14.1.5.1, 13.1.5.1
F5Big-ip Advanced Web Application Firewall13.1.0 up to, but not including, 13.1.5.1; 14.1.0 up to, but not including, 14.1.5.1; 15.1.0 up to, but not including, 15.1.6.1; 16.1.0 up to, but not including, 16.1.3.113.1.5.1, 14.1.5.1, 15.1.6.1, 16.1.3.1
F5Big-ip Application Security Manager13.1.0 up to, but not including, 13.1.5.1; 14.1.0 up to, but not including, 14.1.5.1; 15.1.0 up to, but not including, 15.1.6.1; 16.1.0 up to, but not including, 16.1.3.113.1.5.1, 14.1.5.1, 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
HighAdministrator-level access is required first.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

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

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.17.2HighCNA (f5.com)
CVSS 3.17.2HighNVD

Official description

In versions 16.1.x before 16.1.3.1, 15.1.x before 15.1.6.1, 14.1.x before 14.1.5.1, and 13.1.x before 13.1.5.1, When the Advanced WAF / ASM module is provisioned, an authenticated remote code execution vulnerability exists in the BIG-IP iControl REST interface.

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

The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command

The product constructs all or part of a command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended command when it is sent to a downstream component.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • If at all possible, use library calls rather than external processes to recreate the desired functionality.
  • If possible, ensure that all external commands called from the program are statically created.
  • Run time: Run time policy enforcement may be used in an allowlist fashion to prevent use of any non-sanctioned commands.

More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command vulnerabilities (CWE-77)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in BIG-IP Advanced WAF & ASM

All BIG-IP Advanced WAF & ASM vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command vulnerabilities

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