CVE-2020-5924 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

In BIG-IP APM versions 12.1.0-12.1.5.1 and 11.6.1-11.6.5.2, RADIUS authentication leaks memory when the username for authentication is not set.

Understanding CVE-2020-5924

This CVE affects BIG-IP APM versions 12.1.0-12.1.5.1 and 11.6.1-11.6.5.2, leading to memory leakage during RADIUS authentication.

What is CVE-2020-5924?

CVE-2020-5924 is a vulnerability in BIG-IP APM that causes memory leaks in RADIUS authentication when the username is not specified.

The Impact of CVE-2020-5924

The vulnerability can be exploited to conduct Denial of Service (DoS) attacks, potentially disrupting services relying on RADIUS authentication.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-5924

This section provides technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

RADIUS authentication in BIG-IP APM versions 12.1.0-12.1.5.1 and 11.6.1-11.6.5.2 leads to memory leaks when the username is not provided.

Affected Systems and Versions

BIG-IP APM versions 12.1.0-12.1.5.1
BIG-IP APM versions 11.6.1-11.6.5.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by omitting the username during RADIUS authentication, causing memory leaks and potential DoS attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2020-5924 with the following measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-supplied patches promptly.
Ensure usernames are always provided during RADIUS authentication.
Monitor system logs for any unusual memory consumption.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch BIG-IP APM to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Conduct regular security assessments to identify and address vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

F5 provides patches and updates to address CVE-2020-5924. Stay informed about the latest releases and apply patches as soon as they are available.