CVE-2017-6157 in BIG-IP
Summary
by MITRE
In F5 BIG-IP LTM, AAM, AFM, Analytics, APM, ASM, DNS, GTM, Link Controller, PEM and Websafe software version 12.0.0 to 12.1.1, 11.6.0 to 11.6.1, 11.5.0 - 11.5.4, virtual servers with a configuration using the HTTP Explicit Proxy functionality and/or SOCKS profile are vulnerable to an unauthenticated, remote attack that allows modification of BIG-IP system configuration, extraction of sensitive system files, and/or possible remote command execution on the BIG-IP system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-6157 represents a critical security flaw affecting multiple modules within F5 BIG-IP systems including Local Traffic Manager AAM AFM Analytics APM ASM DNS GTM Link Controller PEM and Websafe. This vulnerability specifically targets configurations utilizing HTTP Explicit Proxy functionality and/or SOCKS profiles on affected software versions ranging from 12.0.0 through 12.1.1 11.6.0 through 11.6.1 and 11.5.0 through 11.5.4. The flaw enables attackers to exploit the system without authentication credentials making it particularly dangerous as it bypasses traditional access control mechanisms.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and insufficient access controls within the BIG-IP system's proxy handling mechanisms. When virtual servers are configured with HTTP Explicit Proxy or SOCKS profiles the system fails to properly validate incoming requests which creates an attack vector allowing malicious actors to manipulate system configuration parameters. This weakness directly maps to CWE-20 Improper Input Validation and CWE-284 Improper Access Control as the system does not adequately verify the legitimacy of requests or restrict access to privileged operations. The vulnerability allows for arbitrary modification of system settings which can fundamentally alter the security posture of the entire BIG-IP deployment.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-6157 is severe and multifaceted affecting organizations across various industries that rely on F5 BIG-IP appliances for their network security infrastructure. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive system files including configuration data user credentials and cryptographic keys which could lead to complete system compromise. The potential for remote command execution means that attackers could gain full administrative control over the affected BIG-IP systems allowing them to establish persistent backdoors modify firewall rules or redirect traffic to malicious destinations. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK techniques including T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter for remote code execution and T1083 File and Directory Discovery for sensitive file extraction. Organizations utilizing these systems face significant risk of data breaches and service disruption as the attack can be executed entirely remotely without requiring physical access or valid credentials.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6157 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to the latest available versions which address the underlying validation and access control flaws. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate BIG-IP appliances from critical internal systems and restrict access to these devices through firewalls and access control lists. Organizations should disable HTTP Explicit Proxy and SOCKS profile configurations on affected systems until proper patches are applied and comprehensive security reviews are completed. Monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual configuration changes or file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of network intrusion detection systems and security information event management solutions can help identify and alert on suspicious network traffic patterns associated with exploitation attempts. Additionally organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their BIG-IP configurations to identify and remediate any other potential vulnerabilities that could be leveraged in conjunction with this flaw. Regular security updates and vulnerability management processes should be strengthened to ensure rapid response to similar future vulnerabilities in network infrastructure components.