CVE-2019-6662 in BIG-IP
Summary
by MITRE
On BIG-IP 13.1.0-13.1.1.4, sensitive information is logged into the local log files and/or remote logging targets when restjavad processes an invalid request. Users with access to the log files would be able to view that data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-6662 affects F5 BIG-IP systems running versions 13.1.0 through 13.1.1.4, representing a significant information disclosure flaw within the system's logging mechanisms. This vulnerability resides in the restjavad process which handles REST API requests, making it particularly concerning for organizations that rely heavily on API-driven management and automation. The issue stems from the improper handling of malformed requests that results in sensitive data being inadvertently written to both local log files and remote logging destinations, creating an attack surface that extends beyond the local system boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic logging information disclosure pattern where the system fails to properly sanitize or filter input data before writing it to log files. When restjavad encounters an invalid request, it does not adequately validate or redact sensitive information that might be present in the malformed request structure, including authentication tokens, session identifiers, or other confidential data elements. This behavior directly maps to CWE-209, which describes "Information Exposure Through an Error Message" and aligns with the broader category of CWE-200, "Information Exposure," where system information is inadvertently disclosed to unauthorized parties. The vulnerability represents a failure in input validation and error handling processes, where the system's response to malformed input includes sensitive data in the output logs.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it creates persistent security risks that can be exploited by attackers with access to log files or systems that receive remote logging data. Attackers who can access these log files gain access to potentially sensitive information that may include user credentials, session tokens, or other confidential data elements that could be used for privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that implement centralized logging solutions or cloud-based logging services, as the sensitive data is not only stored locally but also transmitted to remote systems where it may be accessible to unauthorized personnel or systems. The risk is amplified by the fact that these logs may contain data from multiple applications and services, creating a comprehensive attack vector that could compromise entire organizational security postures.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting access to log files through proper access controls and permissions, implementing log file auditing procedures, and ensuring that remote logging systems are properly secured with appropriate authentication and encryption mechanisms. The recommended approach involves applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates as soon as they become available, while also implementing network segmentation to limit access to logging infrastructure. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing log file monitoring solutions that can detect and alert on suspicious patterns or the presence of sensitive data in log files. This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1070.004 "Indicator Removal on Host: File Deletion" and T1070.002 "Indicator Removal on Host: Clear Windows Event Logs," as the sensitive information disclosure creates additional attack vectors that adversaries can exploit to maintain persistence and avoid detection within the system environment.