CVE-2025-23239 in BIG-IP
Summary
by MITRE • 02/05/2025
When running in Appliance mode, and logged into a highly-privileged role, an authenticated remote command injection vulnerability exists in an undisclosed iControl REST endpoint. A successful exploit can allow the attacker to cross a security boundary.
Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw within F5 BIG-IP appliance software when operating in appliance mode with elevated privileges. The issue resides in an undisclosed iControl REST endpoint that processes authenticated remote requests, creating a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying system. The vulnerability specifically requires an attacker to possess a highly-privileged authenticated session, which significantly reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate the severity of potential impact. The iControl REST API serves as the primary interface for managing BIG-IP systems programmatically, making this endpoint a critical attack vector for those who can establish authenticated sessions with elevated permissions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability allows an authenticated attacker with administrative privileges to inject and execute arbitrary commands on the target system, effectively bypassing normal security boundaries and potentially enabling full system compromise. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-77 which specifically addresses command injection flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter. The cross-boundary execution capability indicates that successful exploitation could allow attackers to move laterally within the network infrastructure or escalate privileges beyond the initially compromised session. The fact that this occurs in appliance mode suggests the vulnerability may be particularly concerning in environments where the appliance serves as a core network component or security gateway.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it represents a significant compromise of the BIG-IP appliance's security posture. Organizations using F5 BIG-IP appliances in appliance mode with administrative accounts may face complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or disruption of critical network services. The vulnerability's requirement for an authenticated session with high privileges means that the attack vector typically involves either credential theft, privilege escalation, or exploitation of a separate vulnerability that grants initial access. This makes the attack more complex than typical remote code execution vulnerabilities but still poses a severe risk to organizations that rely heavily on F5 appliances for network security and application delivery. The implications include potential exposure of sensitive network infrastructure, disruption of critical services, and possible data breaches through unauthorized access to system resources.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected software versions and implementation of network segmentation to limit access to the iControl REST endpoints. Organizations should enforce strict access controls and privilege separation, ensuring that administrative access is limited to essential personnel and that multi-factor authentication is implemented. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns or unauthorized access attempts to the iControl REST interface. Security teams should also implement regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify potential exploitation pathways. The remediation process should include disabling unnecessary API endpoints, implementing proper input validation, and ensuring that administrative sessions are properly audited and monitored for suspicious activities. Additionally, organizations should maintain up-to-date threat intelligence feeds to identify potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.