CVE-2022-33947 in BIG-IP
Summary
by MITRE • 08/04/2022
In BIG-IP Versions 16.1.x before 16.1.3, 15.1.x before 15.1.6.1, 14.1.x before 14.1.5, and all versions of 13.1.x, a vulnerability exists in undisclosed pages of the BIG-IP DNS Traffic Management User Interface (TMUI) that allows an authenticated attacker with at least operator role privileges to cause the Tomcat process to restart and perform unauthorized DNS requests and operations through undisclosed requests. Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-33947 affects F5 BIG-IP systems across multiple version branches including 16.1.x before 16.1.3, 15.1.x before 15.1.6.1, 14.1.x before 14.1.5, and all 13.1.x versions. This represents a critical security flaw within the BIG-IP DNS Traffic Management User Interface known as TMUI which operates on the Tomcat application server framework. The vulnerability specifically targets undisclosed pages within the TMUI interface that are not publicly documented or accessible through normal operational procedures, creating an unexpected attack surface that adversaries can exploit. The flaw resides in the authentication and authorization mechanisms of the system, allowing attackers with at least operator role privileges to manipulate the underlying Tomcat process through specially crafted requests.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unauthorized DNS requests and operations that can be performed by an authenticated attacker who has already established access to the system with operator-level privileges. When such requests are made, they trigger a restart of the Tomcat process which serves as the web application container for the TMUI interface. This process restart creates a window of opportunity for the attacker to execute unauthorized DNS operations and make unauthorized DNS requests through the system. The vulnerability demonstrates a lack of proper input validation and access control within the undisclosed TMUI pages, allowing privilege escalation through legitimate system interfaces. This flaw essentially provides attackers with a mechanism to disrupt service availability while simultaneously enabling them to perform unauthorized network operations that could facilitate further compromise or data exfiltration.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-33947 extends beyond simple service disruption to include potential data exposure and system compromise. The ability to restart the Tomcat process creates a denial of service condition that can interrupt legitimate user access to the DNS traffic management functionality. More critically, the unauthorized DNS request capabilities enable attackers to potentially redirect traffic, perform DNS tunneling, or access unauthorized network resources through the BIG-IP system. This vulnerability can be leveraged for reconnaissance activities, allowing attackers to map network topology or identify internal services that may not be directly exposed to external networks. The impact is particularly severe in environments where BIG-IP systems serve as primary traffic management components for critical infrastructure, as the compromise of these systems can cascade into broader network disruptions.
Security mitigations for CVE-2022-33947 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to the latest available versions as provided by F5. Organizations must ensure that all systems running affected BIG-IP versions are updated promptly to prevent exploitation. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the number of users with operator privileges, as the vulnerability requires at least this level of access to exploit. Monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual Tomcat process restarts or unauthorized DNS requests that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, security teams should review and validate access control policies to ensure that only authorized personnel have the necessary privileges to access the TMUI interface. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, and represents a significant concern from an ATT&CK perspective under T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation techniques. The disclosure of this vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining proper access controls and the potential risks associated with undocumented system interfaces that may not receive the same level of security scrutiny as documented components.