CVE-2020-5931 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2020-5931 affecting F5 BIG-IP versions 11.6.1-15.1.0.5. Discover the impact, affected systems, exploitation method, and mitigation steps.
A vulnerability in F5 BIG-IP versions 11.6.1-15.1.0.5 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (DoS) by manipulating WebSockets related HTTP response headers.
Understanding CVE-2020-5931
This CVE involves a specific issue in F5 BIG-IP that can lead to service disruption.
What is CVE-2020-5931?
The vulnerability affects BIG-IP versions 11.6.1-15.1.0.5, where Virtual servers with a OneConnect profile mishandle WebSockets related HTTP response headers, potentially triggering the Traffic Management Microkernel (TMM) to restart.
The Impact of CVE-2020-5931
The vulnerability can be exploited by malicious actors to disrupt services, leading to a denial of service condition.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-5931
This section delves into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The issue arises in BIG-IP versions 11.6.1-15.1.0.5 due to incorrect handling of WebSockets related HTTP response headers by Virtual servers with a OneConnect profile, resulting in TMM restarts.
Affected Systems and Versions
- BIG-IP versions 15.1.0-15.1.0.5
- BIG-IP versions 14.1.0-14.1.2.3
- BIG-IP versions 13.1.0-13.1.3.4
- BIG-IP versions 12.1.0-12.1.5.2
- BIG-IP versions 11.6.1-11.6.5.2
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted WebSockets related HTTP response headers to affected Virtual servers, causing TMM restarts and service disruption.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2020-5931 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply vendor-supplied patches or updates to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity targeting WebSockets.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch F5 BIG-IP devices to address known vulnerabilities.
- Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Patching and Updates
Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates provided by F5 to address the vulnerability.