CVE-2020-27715 : What You Need to Know

A vulnerability in BIG-IP versions 15.1.0-15.1.0.5 and 14.1.0-14.1.3 can lead to a Denial of Service (DoS) attack by causing high CPU utilization.

Understanding CVE-2020-27715

Crafted TLS requests to the BIG-IP management interface via port 443 can trigger a significant increase in CPU usage by the httpd daemon.

What is CVE-2020-27715?

The vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the BIG-IP system through specially designed TLS requests, resulting in a DoS condition.

The Impact of CVE-2020-27715

Attackers can cause high CPU utilization, potentially leading to service disruption.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-27715

The technical aspects of the vulnerability are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

Crafted TLS requests to the BIG-IP management interface can cause the httpd daemon to consume excessive CPU resources.

Affected Systems and Versions

BIG-IP versions 15.1.0-15.1.0.5 and 14.1.0-14.1.3 are vulnerable to this exploit.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers send malicious TLS requests to the BIG-IP management interface via port 443, triggering high CPU utilization.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-27715, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-provided patches or updates to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor CPU utilization for any unusual spikes that could indicate an ongoing attack.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch BIG-IP systems to protect against known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from F5 and apply patches promptly to secure the system.