CVE-2023-41964 in BIG-IP
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
The BIG-IP and BIG-IQ systems do not encrypt some sensitive information written to Database (DB) variables. Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-41964 affects F5 BIG-IP and BIG-IQ systems, representing a critical weakness in information security practices that could expose sensitive data through improper handling of database variables. This flaw specifically targets the encryption mechanisms employed by these enterprise-grade network security appliances, which are widely deployed for application delivery, load balancing, and security services across corporate networks and cloud environments. The affected systems process and store various types of sensitive information including configuration data, user credentials, and network parameters within database variables that should normally be protected through encryption at rest.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the failure of the BIG-IP and BIG-IQ platforms to properly encrypt certain database variables that contain sensitive information. This vulnerability falls under the category of inadequate encryption implementation, which is categorized as CWE-312 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The systems maintain some database variables in plaintext format while others are properly encrypted, creating an inconsistent security posture that leaves certain information exposed to potential attackers who might gain access to the database storage layer. This inconsistency in encryption practices violates fundamental security principles and creates potential attack vectors for adversaries seeking to extract confidential information from compromised systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it affects the integrity and confidentiality of critical network infrastructure components. Organizations relying on these systems for security services face significant risks including unauthorized access to network configurations, potential credential theft, and exposure of sensitive operational data that could be leveraged for further attacks. The vulnerability particularly impacts environments where these appliances serve as primary security gateways, as attackers could exploit the unencrypted database variables to gain deeper insights into network topology, security policies, and operational procedures. This weakness could enable adversaries to perform advanced persistent threat activities or conduct targeted attacks against the protected network infrastructure.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including verifying that all database variables containing sensitive information are properly encrypted, implementing comprehensive database access controls, and conducting thorough audits of encryption implementations across all BIG-IP and BIG-IQ deployments. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts to database variables and establish automated compliance checks to ensure encryption standards are maintained. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of consistent security practices throughout system architectures and highlights the need for regular security assessments to identify similar encryption implementation gaps. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and defense evasion, as it could enable attackers to access sensitive system information and potentially bypass security controls through data manipulation. Organizations should prioritize applying vendor patches and implementing additional security controls to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability across their network infrastructure.