CVE-2014-2927 in BIG-IP
Summary
by MITRE
The rsync daemon in F5 BIG-IP 11.6 before 11.6.0, 11.5.1 before HF3, 11.5.0 before HF4, 11.4.1 before HF4, 11.4.0 before HF7, 11.3.0 before HF9, and 11.2.1 before HF11 and Enterprise Manager 3.x before 3.1.1 HF2, when configured in failover mode, does not require authentication, which allows remote attackers to read or write to arbitrary files via a cmi request to the ConfigSync IP address.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2927 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in the rsync daemon implementation within F5 BIG-IP systems operating in failover configuration modes. This weakness exists across multiple versions of the F5 BIG-IP platform and Enterprise Manager software, specifically affecting versions prior to their respective hotfix releases. The vulnerability stems from the improper configuration of the rsync daemon which fails to enforce authentication requirements when handling cmi requests directed at the ConfigSync IP address. This misconfiguration creates an exploitable condition that fundamentally undermines the security posture of affected systems.
The technical flaw manifests through the rsync daemon's failure to validate authentication credentials when processing configuration synchronization requests. In failover mode deployments, the ConfigSync IP address serves as a critical communication endpoint for maintaining consistency between primary and secondary BIG-IP appliances. When attackers can send cmi requests to this address without proper authentication, they gain unauthorized access to the underlying file system. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and represents a significant deviation from the expected security controls that should protect configuration synchronization mechanisms. The flaw enables remote attackers to perform arbitrary read and write operations on system files, potentially compromising the entire appliance configuration and underlying data integrity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access. Attackers leveraging this flaw can manipulate configuration files, inject malicious code into the system, or even escalate privileges to gain deeper system control. The ability to write arbitrary files opens pathways for persistent backdoor installation, configuration corruption, or complete system compromise. In enterprise environments where BIG-IP appliances serve as critical load balancers and application delivery controllers, this vulnerability could lead to service disruption, data breaches, or complete infrastructure compromise. The vulnerability affects systems in failover configurations where the rsync daemon operates as a critical synchronization mechanism, making it particularly dangerous in high-availability deployments. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers can leverage the lack of authentication to establish persistent access or use the compromised system for further attacks. The exposure through the ConfigSync IP address means that even systems with network segmentation may be vulnerable if the synchronization endpoint is accessible to unauthorized parties.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of security patches provided by F5, specifically targeting the affected versions and their respective hotfix releases. Organizations should ensure that all BIG-IP appliances in failover configurations are updated to versions that properly enforce authentication for rsync daemon operations. Network segmentation should be implemented to restrict access to ConfigSync IP addresses, limiting exposure to trusted management networks only. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict firewall rules that restrict access to rsync ports and monitoring for unauthorized cmi request patterns. System administrators should conduct thorough security assessments to identify all affected systems and ensure that authentication requirements are properly enforced for configuration synchronization mechanisms. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper privilege separation and authentication enforcement in critical infrastructure components, particularly those handling configuration synchronization in high-availability environments where system integrity is paramount.