CVE-2019-6614 in BIG-IP
Summary
by MITRE
On BIG-IP 14.0.0-14.1.0.1, 13.0.0-13.1.1.4, and 12.1.0-12.1.4, internal methods used to prevent arbitrary file overwrites in Appliance Mode were not fully effective. An authenticated attacker with a high privilege level may be able to bypass protections implemented in appliance mode to overwrite arbitrary system files.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-6614 affects F5 BIG-IP appliances running specific versions of the BIG-IP software, including releases from 14.0.0 through 14.1.0.1, 13.0.0 through 13.1.1.4, and 12.1.0 through 12.1.4. This issue represents a critical security flaw in the appliance mode implementation that governs how the system handles file operations and access controls. The vulnerability specifically targets the internal mechanisms designed to prevent unauthorized file overwrites, which are fundamental security controls in network infrastructure devices.
The technical flaw manifests in the insufficient enforcement of access controls within the appliance mode functionality of the BIG-IP system. When operating in appliance mode, the device should restrict file operations to prevent arbitrary file overwrites that could compromise system integrity and potentially lead to complete system compromise. However, the implementation contains a gap that allows authenticated users with high privilege levels to bypass these protective measures. This bypass occurs through internal method weaknesses that fail to properly validate file operations, enabling attackers to manipulate system files that should remain protected from modification.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and potentially catastrophic for organizations relying on F5 BIG-IP appliances for their network security infrastructure. An authenticated attacker with elevated privileges could exploit this weakness to overwrite critical system files, potentially leading to system instability, complete system compromise, or the installation of malicious code. The vulnerability's severity is compounded by the fact that it requires only high privilege authentication, suggesting that internal attackers or compromised privileged accounts could leverage this flaw. The ability to overwrite arbitrary system files creates multiple attack vectors including privilege escalation, denial of service, and potential backdoor installation.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest security patches released by F5 to address the vulnerability in affected versions. Network segmentation and privilege access controls should be reviewed to minimize the risk of unauthorized high privilege access. Monitoring for suspicious file operations and system modifications should be enhanced, particularly in appliance mode configurations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 (Improper Limiting of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) as it enables attackers to leverage existing privileged access to execute malicious file operations and potentially establish persistent access to the compromised appliance. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as file integrity monitoring and privileged access management solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts.