CVE-2019-6597 in BIG-IP
Summary
by MITRE
In BIG-IP 13.0.0-13.1.1.1, 12.1.0-12.1.3.7, 11.6.1-11.6.3.2, or 11.5.1-11.5.8 or Enterprise Manager 3.1.1, when authenticated administrative users run commands in the Traffic Management User Interface (TMUI), also referred to as the BIG-IP Configuration utility, restrictions on allowed commands may not be enforced.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-6597 represents a critical authorization bypass flaw in F5 BIG-IP network security appliances that affects multiple version ranges including 13.0.0 through 13.1.1.1, 12.1.0 through 12.1.3.7, 11.6.1 through 11.6.3.2, 11.5.1 through 11.5.8, and Enterprise Manager 3.1.1. This issue resides within the Traffic Management User Interface TMUI component which serves as the primary configuration utility for BIG-IP systems. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and command execution restrictions within the web-based administrative interface, allowing authenticated users to bypass intended security controls and execute arbitrary commands on the underlying system. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-285: Improper Authorization, which specifically addresses situations where authorization checks are improperly implemented or bypassed.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when authenticated administrative users interact with the TMUI interface and manipulate command execution parameters in ways that circumvent the intended access controls. The flaw allows attackers to execute commands with elevated privileges that should normally be restricted to specific administrative functions or system-level operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the legitimate administrative interface, making detection more challenging and allowing attackers to remain within normal operational parameters while executing malicious activities. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform actions such as arbitrary code execution, data manipulation, system reconnaissance, and potentially full system compromise. The security implications extend beyond simple command execution as this vulnerability can enable lateral movement within network environments where BIG-IP appliances serve as critical infrastructure components.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-6597 is substantial for organizations relying on F5 BIG-IP systems for network security and traffic management. Organizations may face unauthorized access to critical network infrastructure, potential data breaches, service disruption, and compliance violations. The vulnerability's presence in multiple version ranges means that a significant number of enterprise deployments could be affected, particularly those using older versions that may not have received timely security updates. Network administrators and security teams face the challenge of identifying affected systems within their environments and implementing mitigations without disrupting legitimate business operations. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and use the compromised BIG-IP appliances as launch points for further attacks within the network infrastructure. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001: Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries execute commands through legitimate system interfaces to avoid detection while maintaining access.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest security patches from F5, which address the authorization bypass mechanism within the TMUI interface. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit administrative access to BIG-IP appliances, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access the TMUI interface. Monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns within administrative interfaces, particularly focusing on the specific command parameters that trigger the vulnerability. Additional mitigations include disabling unnecessary administrative interfaces, implementing strict firewall rules limiting access to BIG-IP management interfaces, and conducting comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all potentially affected systems. The remediation process should involve thorough testing of patches in non-production environments before deployment to ensure operational stability. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure readiness for potential exploitation of this vulnerability, as it represents a significant risk to network security and infrastructure integrity.