BIG-IP: Return of Pointer Value Outside of Expected Range
CVE-2024-21849 is a high-severity return of pointer value outside of expected range 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 version 16.1.4 as the first without the flaw, so updating BIG-IP to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.52% 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
- Update BIG-IP to 16.1.4 or a later version.
- Update Big-ip Advanced Web Application Firewall to 16.1.4 or a later version.
- Update Big-ip Application Security Manager to 16.1.4 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on my.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 | 16.1.0 up to, but not including, 16.1.4 | 16.1.4 |
| F5 | Big-ip Advanced Web Application Firewall | 16.1.0 up to, but not including, 16.1.4 | 16.1.4 |
| F5 | Big-ip Application Security Manager | 16.1.0 up to, but not including, 16.1.4 | 16.1.4 |
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 | 7.5 | High | CNA (f5.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
Official description
When an Advanced WAF/ASM security policy and a Websockets profile are configured on a virtual server, undisclosed traffic can cause the Traffic Management Microkernel (TMM) process 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: Return of Pointer Value Outside of Expected Range
A function can return a pointer to memory that is outside of the buffer that the pointer is expected to reference.
More Return of Pointer Value Outside of Expected Range vulnerabilities (CWE-466)
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
Other vulnerabilities in BIG-IP
- 9.8 Critical severity
F5 BIG-IP APM Heap-based Buffer Overflow Exploited
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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