CVE-2022-23027 in BIG-IP
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2022
On BIG-IP versions 15.1.x before 15.1.4, 14.1.x before 14.1.4.4, 13.1.x beginning in 13.1.3.6, 12.1.5.3-12.1.6, and 11.6.5.2, when a FastL4 profile and an HTTP, FIX, and/or hash persistence profile are configured on the same virtual server, undisclosed requests can cause the virtual server to stop processing new client connections. Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2022
This vulnerability affects F5 BIG-IP systems running specific software versions where a combination of FastL4 profile and HTTP, FIX, or hash persistence profiles creates a condition that can cause virtual server disruption. The flaw manifests when certain request patterns trigger an internal state inconsistency that prevents the system from processing new client connections. This represents a denial of service condition that can significantly impact network availability and application delivery services. The vulnerability specifically impacts systems where multiple profile types are configured on the same virtual server, creating a complex interaction that leads to service degradation.
The technical root cause involves the interaction between FastL4 profile processing and persistence profile handling within the BIG-IP traffic management architecture. When FastL4 profile processes requests alongside HTTP, FIX, or hash persistence profiles, the system's internal connection tracking mechanism becomes corrupted or enters an inconsistent state. This occurs due to improper state management during request processing, where the FastL4 profile's handling of connection establishment conflicts with persistence profile mechanisms that maintain session state. The vulnerability falls under CWE-248, unspecified error, as it represents an unexpected error condition that leads to service disruption rather than a direct exploitation of a known weakness. The condition results in the virtual server becoming unresponsive to new client connections, effectively creating a denial of service scenario.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service interruption as it affects critical network infrastructure components that typically handle high volumes of concurrent connections. Organizations using affected BIG-IP versions may experience complete loss of service availability for virtual servers configured with the problematic profile combinations, potentially affecting multiple applications or services dependent on the load balancer. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered by seemingly benign requests, making it difficult to predict or prevent. Attackers or malicious actors could potentially exploit this condition to disrupt services without requiring privileged access or specialized tools, making it a significant risk for organizations relying on F5 BIG-IP for critical infrastructure. The disruption affects connection processing at the core traffic management layer, which can cascade into broader network availability issues.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate software updates to versions that address the specific profile interaction issue. Organizations should upgrade to BIG-IP versions 15.1.4, 14.1.4.4, 13.1.3.6, 12.1.6, or 11.6.5.2, depending on their current version, as these releases contain patches that resolve the state management conflict between FastL4 and persistence profiles. Network administrators should also consider temporarily removing or reconfiguring virtual servers that use the problematic profile combinations until the software upgrade can be completed. Additionally, implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual connection processing patterns or virtual server unresponsiveness can help identify exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of thorough testing when combining multiple profile types in enterprise load balancing solutions, as interactions between different traffic management features can create unexpected conditions. Organizations should also review their current BIG-IP configurations to identify and remediate any instances where FastL4 profiles are combined with HTTP, FIX, or hash persistence profiles on the same virtual server, following the principle of least privilege in profile configuration to reduce attack surface. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service, where adversaries can disrupt services by exploiting weaknesses in network infrastructure components.