CVE-2018-5530 : What You Need to Know

Virtual servers running F5 BIG-IP versions 13.0.0-13.1.0.5, 12.1.0-12.1.3.5, or 11.6.0-11.6.3.1 and have HTTP/2 profiles activated face a vulnerability referred to as 'HPACK Bomb'.

Understanding CVE-2018-5530

This CVE affects F5 Networks, Inc.'s BIG-IP products and versions, potentially leading to a Denial of Service (DoS) attack.

What is CVE-2018-5530?

CVE-2018-5530, also known as 'HPACK Bomb', impacts virtual servers utilizing F5 BIG-IP versions 13.0.0-13.1.0.5, 12.1.0-12.1.3.5, or 11.6.0-11.6.3.1 with activated HTTP/2 profiles.

The Impact of CVE-2018-5530

The vulnerability can be exploited to launch DoS attacks on affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-5530

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

Vulnerability Description

Virtual servers running specific versions of F5 BIG-IP with HTTP/2 profiles enabled are susceptible to the 'HPACK Bomb' vulnerability.

Affected Systems and Versions

Products: BIG-IP (LTM, AAM, AFM, Analytics, APM, ASM, Edge Gateway, PEM, WebSafe)
Versions: 13.0.0-13.1.0.5, 12.1.0-12.1.3.5, 11.6.0-11.6.3.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Activation of HTTP/2 profiles on virtual servers running the specified F5 BIG-IP versions triggers the vulnerability, potentially leading to DoS attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-5530 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable HTTP/2 profiles on affected F5 BIG-IP virtual servers.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update F5 BIG-IP software to the latest patched versions.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to minimize attack surfaces.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by F5 Networks to address the 'HPACK Bomb' vulnerability.