F5 BIG-IP up to 15.1.10/16.1.6/17.1.2/17.5.1 iControl REST unnecessary privileges

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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7.8$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in F5 BIG-IP up to 15.1.10/16.1.6/17.1.2/17.5.1. This affects an unknown function of the component iControl REST Handler. Executing a manipulation can lead to Remote Privilege Escalation. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2025-59481. The attack can be executed remotely. There is not any exploit available. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in F5 BIG-IP up to 15.1.10/16.1.6/17.1.2/17.5.1 and classified as critical. This vulnerability affects some unknown functionality of the component iControl REST Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a remote privilege escalation vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-250. The product performs an operation at a privilege level that is higher than the minimum level required, which creates new weaknesses or amplifies the consequences of other weaknesses. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

A vulnerability exists in an undisclosed iControl REST and BIG-IP TMOS Shell (tmsh) command that may allow an authenticated attacker with at least resource administrator role to execute arbitrary system commands with higher privileges.  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.

The advisory is available at my.f5.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-2025-59481. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be initiated remotely. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not available. The structure of the vulnerability defines a possible price range of USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 02/05/2026). This vulnerability is assigned to T1068 by the MITRE ATT&CK project.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 270616 (F5 Networks BIG-IP : BIG-IP iControl REST and tmsh vulnerability (K000156642)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 15.1.10.8, 16.1.6.1, 17.1.3 or 17.5.1.3 eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (270616). If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA CVSS-B Score: 🔒
CNA CVSS-BT Score: 🔒
CNA Vector: 🔒

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.9
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.8

VulDB Base Score: 6.3
VulDB Temp Score: 6.0
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 8.7
NVD Vector: 🔒

CNA Base Score: 8.7
CNA Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Unnecessary privileges
CWE: CWE-250
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Nessus ID: 270616
Nessus Name: F5 Networks BIG-IP : BIG-IP iControl REST and tmsh vulnerability (K000156642)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: BIG-IP 15.1.10.8/16.1.6.1/17.1.3/17.5.1.3

Timelineinfo

10/15/2025 Advisory disclosed
10/15/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
02/05/2026 +112 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: f5.com

Advisory: K000156642
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-59481 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-59481
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-328666

Entryinfo

Created: 10/15/2025 15:48
Updated: 02/05/2026 00:34
Changes: 10/15/2025 15:48 (53), 10/16/2025 05:41 (2), 10/17/2025 03:03 (47), 10/22/2025 05:40 (11), 02/05/2026 00:34 (4)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216:521:103

If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

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