BIG-IP Edge Client: Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information
CVE-2023-43124 is a high-severity cleartext transmission of sensitive information vulnerability in BIG-IP Edge Client from F5, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.1 out of 10. It can be exploited from the same local network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected BIG-IP Edge Client versions: 7.2.3 and later. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.17% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of BIG-IP Edge Client you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on my.f5.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| F5 | BIG-IP Edge Client | 7.2.3 and later | Not stated |
| F5 | F5 Access | 3.0 and later | Not stated |
| F5 | Big-ip Access Policy Manager | 14.1.5.2 through 14.1.5.6; 15.1.8 through 15.1.10; 16.1.3.3 through 16.1.4; 13.1.5.1; 17.1.0 | Not stated |
| F5 | Big-ip Access Policy Manager Client | 7.2.3 through 7.2.4 | Not 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
- AdjacentThe attacker must be on the same local network segment.
- 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
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- LowLimited modification of data is possible.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 5.3 | Medium | CNA (f5.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.1 | High | NVD |
Official description
BIG-IP APM clients may send IP traffic outside of the VPN tunnel. 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: Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information
The product transmits sensitive or security-critical data in cleartext in a communication channel that can be sniffed by unauthorized actors.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Before transmitting, encrypt the data using reliable, confidentiality-protecting cryptographic protocols.
- When using web applications with SSL, use SSL for the entire session from login to logout, not just for the initial login page.
- When designing hardware platforms, ensure that approved encryption algorithms (such as those recommended by NIST) protect paths from security critical data to trusted user applications.
More Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information vulnerabilities (CWE-319)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
- my.f5.com/manage/s/article/K000136907Mitigation
Other vulnerabilities in BIG-IP Edge Client
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Recent Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.