CVE-2019-6600 : What You Need to Know
Learn about CVE-2019-6600 affecting BIG-IP versions 14.0.0-14.0.0.2, 13.0.0-13.1.1.3, 12.1.0-12.1.3.7, 11.6.1-11.6.3.2, and 11.5.1-11.5.8. Find out the impact, affected systems, exploitation risks, and mitigation steps.
A vulnerability in various versions of BIG-IP by F5 Networks could allow for a cross-site scripting attack when specific user roles are configured.
Understanding CVE-2019-6600
This CVE involves a security issue in BIG-IP versions 14.0.0-14.0.0.2, 13.0.0-13.1.1.3, 12.1.0-12.1.3.7, 11.6.1-11.6.3.2, and 11.5.1-11.5.8 that could potentially lead to a cross-site scripting vulnerability.
What is CVE-2019-6600?
The vulnerability arises when remote authentication is enabled for administrative users, and all external users are assigned the "guest" role. This misconfiguration may result in unsanitized values being reflected back to the client through the login page, opening the door to a cross-site scripting attack against unauthenticated clients.
The Impact of CVE-2019-6600
The vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of an unsuspecting user's web session, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-6600
Vulnerability Description
The issue stems from the improper handling of user roles and authentication settings, allowing unsanitized data to be returned to clients, creating a cross-site scripting risk.
Affected Systems and Versions
- BIG-IP versions 14.0.0-14.0.0.2
- BIG-IP versions 13.0.0-13.1.1.3
- BIG-IP versions 12.1.0-12.1.3.7
- BIG-IP versions 11.6.1-11.6.3.2
- BIG-IP versions 11.5.1-11.5.8
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited by crafting malicious scripts that, when executed in a victim's browser, can access sensitive information or perform unauthorized actions.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Disable remote authentication for administrative users if not required
- Avoid assigning the "guest" role to all external users
- Regularly monitor and review user roles and permissions
Long-Term Security Practices
- Implement input validation to sanitize user inputs
- Conduct regular security training for administrators and users
- Keep systems updated with the latest security patches
Patching and Updates
Ensure that affected BIG-IP systems are updated with the latest patches provided by F5 Networks to address this vulnerability.