F5 BIG-IP up to 13.1.5/14.1.5/15.1.8/16.1.3 TCP Verified Accept resource consumption

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 7.3 | $0-$5k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in F5 BIG-IP up to 13.1.5/14.1.5/15.1.8/16.1.3. This impacts an unknown function of the component TCP Verified Accept Handler. The manipulation results in resource consumption. This vulnerability was named CVE-2023-40542. The attack may be performed from remote. There is no available exploit. Upgrading the affected component is advised.
Details
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in F5 BIG-IP up to 13.1.5/14.1.5/15.1.8/16.1.3 (Firewall Software). Affected is an unknown function of the component TCP Verified Accept Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a resource consumption vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-400. The product does not properly control the allocation and maintenance of a limited resource, thereby enabling an actor to influence the amount of resources consumed, eventually leading to the exhaustion of available resources. This is going to have an impact on availability.
The weakness was presented 10/10/2023 as K000134652. The advisory is shared for download at my.f5.com. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2023-40542 since 10/05/2023. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available. The MITRE ATT&CK project declares the attack technique as T1499.
Upgrading to version 15.1.9, 16.1.4 or 17.0 eliminates this vulnerability.
The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at EUVD (EUVD-2023-45113). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Product
Type
Vendor
Name
Version
- 13.1.0
- 13.1.1
- 13.1.2
- 13.1.3
- 13.1.4
- 13.1.5
- 14.1.0
- 14.1.1
- 14.1.2
- 14.1.3
- 14.1.4
- 14.1.5
- 15.1.0
- 15.1.1
- 15.1.2
- 15.1.3
- 15.1.4
- 15.1.5
- 15.1.6
- 15.1.7
- 15.1.8
- 16.1.0
- 16.1.1
- 16.1.2
- 16.1.3
License
Website
- Vendor: https://f5.com/
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔍VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.5VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.3
VulDB Base Score: 7.5
VulDB Temp Score: 7.2
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CNA Base Score: 7.5
CNA Vector (F5 Networks): 🔍
CVSSv2
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: Resource consumptionCWE: CWE-400 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍
Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes
Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined
EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍
| 0-Day | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
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| Today | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Upgrade: BIG-IP 15.1.9/16.1.4/17.0
Timeline
10/05/2023 🔍10/10/2023 🔍
10/10/2023 🔍
09/19/2025 🔍
Sources
Vendor: f5.comAdvisory: K000134652
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2023-40542 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-40542
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-241668
EUVD: 🔍
Entry
Created: 10/10/2023 13:39Updated: 09/19/2025 01:05
Changes: 10/10/2023 13:39 (41), 10/28/2023 12:50 (1), 10/28/2023 12:56 (11), 09/19/2025 00:51 (16), 09/19/2025 01:05 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
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