CVE-2019-6679 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Learn about CVE-2019-6679 affecting F5 BIG-IP versions 11.5.9-15.0.1. Discover the impact, affected systems, exploitation details, and mitigation steps to secure your systems.
A vulnerability in F5 BIG-IP versions 11.5.9-15.0.1 allows authenticated users with SCP access to overwrite restricted configuration files.
Understanding CVE-2019-6679
The vulnerability affects various versions of F5 BIG-IP, potentially leading to unauthorized configuration file modifications.
What is CVE-2019-6679?
The access controls for symlinks paths are inadequately enforced on affected F5 BIG-IP versions, enabling authenticated users to overwrite restricted configuration files.
The Impact of CVE-2019-6679
The vulnerability could be exploited by authenticated users with SCP access to modify critical configuration files, leading to unauthorized changes and potential system compromise.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-6679
The vulnerability details and affected systems are outlined below:
Vulnerability Description
The access controls for symlink paths are not properly enforced on F5 BIG-IP versions 11.5.9-15.0.1, allowing authenticated users with SCP access to overwrite restricted configuration files.
Affected Systems and Versions
- BIG-IP versions 15.0.0-15.0.1
- BIG-IP versions 14.1.0.2-14.1.2.2
- BIG-IP versions 14.0.0.5-14.0.1
- BIG-IP versions 13.1.1.5-13.1.3.1
- BIG-IP versions 12.1.4.1-12.1.5
- BIG-IP versions 11.6.4-11.6.5
- BIG-IP versions 11.5.9-11.5.10
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability allows authenticated users with SCP access to bypass access controls and modify configuration files that should be restricted.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2019-6679, follow these steps:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply vendor patches or updates promptly.
- Restrict SCP access to essential personnel only.
- Monitor file changes and access logs for suspicious activities.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly review and update access control policies.
- Conduct security training for personnel on file access best practices.
Patching and Updates
- F5 has released patches to address the vulnerability. Ensure timely installation of these patches to mitigate the risk of unauthorized file modifications.