F5 BIG-IP APM up to 15.1.10/16.1.6/17.1.2/17.5.1 Traffic Management Microkernel allocation of resources

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.4$0-$5k2.18

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in F5 BIG-IP APM up to 15.1.10/16.1.6/17.1.2/17.5.1. This affects an unknown function of the component Traffic Management Microkernel. Performing a manipulation results in allocation of resources. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2025-53521. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. Moreover, an exploit is present. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in F5 BIG-IP APM up to 15.1.10/16.1.6/17.1.2/17.5.1. It has been classified as problematic. This affects some unknown processing of the component Traffic Management Microkernel. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a allocation of resources vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-770. The product allocates a reusable resource or group of resources on behalf of an actor without imposing any restrictions on the size or number of resources that can be allocated, in violation of the intended security policy for that actor. This is going to have an impact on availability. The summary by CVE is:

When a BIG-IP APM access policy is configured on a virtual server, specific malicious traffic can lead to Remote Code Execution (RCE).   Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated.

The advisory is shared at my.f5.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2025-53521 since 10/04/2025. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. Technical details are unknown but an exploit is available. MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1499 for this issue.

It is declared as attacked. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 270605 (F5 Networks BIG-IP : BIG-IP APM vulnerability (K000156741)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. The CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog lists this issue since 03/27/2026 with a due date of 03/30/2026:

Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

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 databases at Tenable (270605) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2310). Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • F5 F5OS
  • F5 BIG-IP

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA CVSS-B Score: 🔒
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CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.4

VulDB Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Temp Score: 5.1
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA Base Score: 9.8
CNA Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Allocation of resources
CWE: CWE-770 / CWE-400 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Attacked

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EPSS Percentile: 🔒

KEV Added: 🔒
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KEV Remediation: 🔒
KEV Ransomware: 🔒
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Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Nessus ID: 270605
Nessus Name: F5 Networks BIG-IP : BIG-IP APM vulnerability (K000156741)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

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

Timelineinfo

10/04/2025 CVE reserved
10/15/2025 +11 days Advisory disclosed
10/15/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
03/30/2026 +166 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: f5.com

Advisory: K000156741
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-53521 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-53521
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-328677
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2310 - F5 BIG-IP und F5OS: Mehrere Schwachstellen

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013

Entryinfo

Created: 10/15/2025 16:06
Updated: 03/30/2026 11:30
Changes: 10/15/2025 16:06 (76), 10/17/2025 06:10 (2), 03/27/2026 19:44 (9), 03/28/2026 00:42 (13), 03/30/2026 11:30 (7)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216:358:103

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