CVE-2018-5543 in BIG-IP Controller for Kubernetes
Summary
by MITRE
The F5 BIG-IP Controller for Kubernetes 1.0.0-1.5.0 (k8s-bigip-crtl) passes BIG-IP username and password as command line parameters, which may lead to disclosure of the credentials used by the container.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5543 affects the F5 BIG-IP Controller for Kubernetes version 1.0.0 through 1.5.0, representing a critical security flaw in how containerized network controllers handle authentication credentials. This issue arises from the controller's implementation where administrative credentials are passed directly as command line arguments during container initialization, creating an inherent exposure risk that can be exploited by unauthorized parties. The vulnerability stems from poor credential management practices within the container orchestration environment, where sensitive authentication information becomes visible through process listings and system monitoring tools. This flaw directly violates security best practices for credential handling in containerized environments and represents a significant risk to organizations deploying F5 BIG-IP controllers within Kubernetes clusters.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the command line parameter level where the controller's container initialization process accepts username and password arguments directly from the command line interface. When containers are launched with these parameters, the credentials become visible through standard operating system interfaces such as ps command output, process lists, and system logs, making them accessible to any user or process with appropriate privileges on the host system. This exposure creates an attack surface where malicious actors can extract authentication credentials simply by examining running processes or reviewing container execution history. The vulnerability manifests as a direct disclosure of sensitive information through process inspection mechanisms, which is classified under CWE-259 as "Use of Hard-coded Password" and CWE-798 as "Use of Hard-coded Credentials" when these credentials are exposed through command line parameters rather than secure credential management systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate credential exposure to encompass broader security implications for Kubernetes environments that rely on F5 BIG-IP controllers for load balancing and application delivery services. Organizations utilizing affected versions face potential unauthorized access to their network infrastructure, as attackers can leverage the exposed credentials to gain administrative control over BIG-IP systems and potentially compromise the entire network infrastructure managed by these controllers. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire Kubernetes deployment since the BIG-IP controller serves as a critical network component that manages traffic routing and security policies. This exposure can lead to service disruption, data breaches, and unauthorized access to backend applications that rely on the controller for proper traffic management and load distribution within the cluster environment.
Effective mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5543 require immediate implementation of secure credential management practices that eliminate the exposure of authentication information through command line parameters. Organizations should upgrade to F5 BIG-IP Controller versions that implement secure credential handling mechanisms, typically through the use of Kubernetes secrets or external credential management systems that prevent direct command line exposure. The recommended approach involves configuring the controller to retrieve credentials from secure storage systems such as Kubernetes secrets, HashiCorp Vault, or other credential management solutions that provide programmatic access without exposing sensitive information through process parameters. This remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1555.003 for "Credentials from Password Stores" and represents a fundamental shift from insecure command line credential passing to secure credential retrieval mechanisms. Additionally, organizations should implement process monitoring and access controls to limit who can inspect running processes on systems hosting the controller containers, while also ensuring that any exposed credentials are immediately rotated and invalidated following remediation activities to prevent potential exploitation.