CVE-2015-4040 in BIG-IP
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the configuration utility in F5 BIG-IP before 12.0.0 and Enterprise Manager 3.0.0 through 3.1.1 allows remote authenticated users to access arbitrary files in the web root via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2024
The CVE-2015-4040 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the configuration utility of F5 BIG-IP systems and Enterprise Manager components. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 12.0.0 for BIG-IP and Enterprise Manager versions 3.0.0 through 3.1.1, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on these network infrastructure components. The flaw enables remote authenticated attackers to access arbitrary files within the web root directory, potentially exposing sensitive system information and configuration data. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and could allow attackers to escalate their privileges within the affected systems.
The technical implementation of this directory traversal vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the configuration utility's file handling mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that manipulate file path parameters to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that multiple attack paths may exist within the utility's interface, making the vulnerability particularly challenging to fully assess and mitigate. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is classified as a path traversal or directory traversal attack pattern. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, as it enables unauthorized access to system files and directories that should remain protected.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-4040 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with access to sensitive configuration files, system logs, and potentially credential stores within the web root directory. Organizations utilizing F5 BIG-IP appliances and Enterprise Manager components face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote and authenticated nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the systems, and the authenticated requirement suggests that even legitimate users with appropriate credentials could be exploited if proper access controls are not implemented. This creates a particularly dangerous scenario where insider threats or compromised accounts could be leveraged to exploit the vulnerability. The exposure of web root files could include application configuration files, database connection strings, and other sensitive artifacts that could facilitate further attacks against the organization's infrastructure.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through official F5 security patches and updates to versions 12.0.0 and later for BIG-IP systems, along with Enterprise Manager versions 3.1.2 and later. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the affected components to only necessary personnel. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous file access patterns and unusual requests to the configuration utility. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing proper input validation and access controls for web-based administrative interfaces, as highlighted by industry standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 controls. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network infrastructure components, ensuring comprehensive protection against directory traversal attacks and similar path manipulation threats.