CVE-2022-28707 in BIG-IP
Summary
by MITRE • 05/05/2022
On F5 BIG-IP 16.1.x versions prior to 16.1.2.2, 15.1.x versions prior to 15.1.5.1, and 14.1.x versions prior to 14.1.4.6, a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability exists in an undisclosed page of the BIG-IP Configuration utility (also referred to as the BIG-IP TMUI) that allows an attacker to execute JavaScript in the context of the currently logged-in user. Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-28707 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw within F5 BIG-IP systems that affects multiple major versions including 16.1.x prior to 16.1.2.2, 15.1.x prior to 15.1.5.1, and 14.1.x prior to 14.1.4.6. This vulnerability resides in the BIG-IP Configuration utility, commonly known as the BIG-IP TMUI, which serves as the primary administrative interface for managing F5 BIG-IP appliances. The flaw operates as a stored XSS vulnerability, meaning that malicious JavaScript code injected into the affected page can be permanently stored and subsequently executed whenever the page is accessed by any authenticated user with sufficient privileges. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it leverages the administrative context of the currently logged-in user, potentially allowing attackers to escalate their privileges and gain full control over the BIG-IP appliance configuration.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the undisclosed page of the BIG-IP TMUI. According to CWE-79, this vulnerability maps directly to the Common Weakness Enumeration category for Cross-Site Scripting, specifically the stored variant where malicious content is permanently saved and executed. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious scripts through input fields or parameters that are not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users. This creates a persistent threat vector where the injected JavaScript executes within the security context of the victim's browser session, potentially enabling attackers to perform actions such as modifying configuration settings, accessing sensitive data, or even redirecting users to malicious websites. The vulnerability's presence in the TMUI interface means that any authenticated administrator or user with access to the configuration utility could become compromised, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where these appliances manage critical network infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-28707 extends beyond simple script execution, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and security of the entire BIG-IP appliance. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to the network infrastructure, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruption, or lateral movement within the network. The attack surface is particularly concerning because BIG-IP appliances typically serve as critical components in application delivery, load balancing, and security enforcement, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals. According to ATT&CK framework's T1059.007 technique, this vulnerability enables command and control activities through script injection, while T1566.001 highlights the initial access vector through web application attacks. Organizations utilizing affected BIG-IP versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to their network traffic management systems, potentially leading to complete compromise of their application delivery infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-28707 primarily focus on immediate patching and implementation of additional security controls. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to the patched versions 16.1.2.2, 15.1.5.1, and 14.1.4.6, which contain the necessary security fixes to address the XSS vulnerability. Beyond patching, network administrators should implement additional security measures including enhanced input validation, output encoding, and regular security assessments of the TMUI interface. The implementation of web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should enforce principle of least privilege for TMUI access, limiting administrative privileges to only necessary personnel and implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts. Regular security training for administrators regarding the risks of XSS vulnerabilities and the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions should also be part of the comprehensive mitigation strategy. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-79 and its potential exploitation patterns align with standard security best practices for preventing cross-site scripting attacks, emphasizing the importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding in web applications.