CVE-2018-5503 : Security Advisory and Response

CVE-2018-5503 was published on March 21, 2018, affecting F5 Networks, Inc.'s BIG-IP (PEM) versions 13.0.0 - 13.1.0.3 and 12.0.0 - 12.1.3.1. The vulnerability could lead to a denial of service (DoS) condition due to a restart issue in TMM when processing specific pages.

Understanding CVE-2018-5503

This CVE highlights a vulnerability in F5 BIG-IP versions that could result in service disruption.

What is CVE-2018-5503?

The vulnerability involves TMM restarting when handling a particular page with a virtual server assigned a PEM policy containing content insertion actions.

The Impact of CVE-2018-5503

The vulnerability could be exploited to cause a DoS condition, potentially disrupting services and affecting system availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-5503

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

TMM may restart when processing a specific page through a virtual server with a PEM policy that includes content insertion actions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: BIG-IP (PEM)
Vendor: F5 Networks, Inc.
Affected Versions: 13.0.0 - 13.1.0.3, 12.0.0 - 12.1.3.1

Exploitation Mechanism

The issue arises when a virtual server with a PEM policy containing content insertion actions encounters a particular page, triggering TMM to restart.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-5503 involves taking immediate and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-supplied patches promptly to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor system logs for any unusual restart patterns that could indicate exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch systems to address known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

F5 Networks provides patches and updates to address CVE-2018-5503. Ensure timely application of these patches to secure affected systems.