CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2023-43125NVD status: Modified

BIG-IP Edge Client: Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information

CVE-2023-43125 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 8.2 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the 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 0.28% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of BIG-IP Edge Client you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Read the advisory on my.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
F5BIG-IP Edge Client7.2.3 and laterNot stated
F5F5 Access3.0 and laterNot stated
F5Big-ip Access Policy Manager14.1.5.2 through 14.1.5.6; 15.1.8 through 15.1.10; 16.1.3.3 through 16.1.4; 13.1.5.1; 17.1.0Not stated
F5Big-ip Access Policy Manager Client7.2.3 through 7.2.4Not 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
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:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.16.8MediumCNA (f5.com)
CVSS 3.18.2HighNVD

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

  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 Edge Client

All BIG-IP Edge Client vulnerabilities

Recent Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information vulnerabilities

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