CVE-2022-41813 in BIG-IP
Summary
by MITRE • 10/20/2022
In versions 16.1.x before 16.1.3.1, 15.1.x before 15.1.6.1, 14.1.x before 14.1.5, and all versions of 13.1.x, when BIG-IP is provisioned with PEM or AFM module, an undisclosed input can cause Traffic Management Microkernel (TMM) to terminate.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-41813 represents a critical stability issue within F5 Networks BIG-IP platform affecting multiple software versions including 16.1.x before 16.1.3.1, 15.1.x before 15.1.6.1, 14.1.x before 14.1.5, and all versions of 13.1.x. This flaw specifically manifests when the system is provisioned with either the PEM (Policy Enforcement Manager) or AFM (Advanced Firewall Manager) modules, indicating that the vulnerability is module-specific rather than affecting the entire platform. The issue resides within the Traffic Management Microkernel (TMM) component which serves as the core processing engine for traffic handling and management in BIG-IP systems.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves an undisclosed input that triggers an unexpected termination of the TMM process when the system is operating with the specified modules. This represents a denial of service condition where legitimate traffic processing is interrupted through the termination of critical system processes. The vulnerability is classified as a stability issue rather than an information disclosure or privilege escalation problem, but its impact on system availability can be severe in production environments where continuous traffic processing is required. The fact that the input triggering this behavior is described as "undisclosed" suggests that the exact conditions or data patterns causing the termination are not publicly documented, making it challenging for administrators to predict or prevent the occurrence.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-41813 extends beyond simple service interruption as it affects core network infrastructure components that typically handle critical traffic flows. When TMM terminates unexpectedly, it can result in complete loss of traffic processing capabilities for the affected BIG-IP system, potentially disrupting services for numerous applications and users depending on the system's role in network traffic management. The vulnerability affects organizations using F5 BIG-IP appliances in production environments where the PEM or AFM modules are actively provisioned, which includes many enterprise networks, data centers, and cloud environments that rely on F5's traffic management capabilities for security and performance optimization. This vulnerability directly impacts the availability and reliability of network services, potentially causing cascading failures if the affected systems are part of critical infrastructure components.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-682, which covers "Incorrect Calculation," and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for "Endpoint Denial of Service" as it affects endpoint systems by causing process termination. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, particularly those running versions prior to the specified remediation releases. The mitigation strategy involves upgrading to the patched versions mentioned in the advisory while implementing monitoring for any abnormal TMM process termination patterns. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such incidents and maintain robust backup and recovery procedures for critical network infrastructure components that depend on F5 BIG-IP systems for their operation and security enforcement capabilities.