CVE-2020-5936 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in BIG-IP LTM versions 15.1.0-15.1.0.5, 14.1.0-14.1.2.7, 13.1.0-13.1.3.4, and 12.1.0-12.1.5.1 could allow a remote attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition.

Understanding CVE-2020-5936

This CVE identifies a specific vulnerability in the Traffic Management Microkernel (TMM) process of BIG-IP LTM devices.

What is CVE-2020-5936?

The vulnerability allows an attacker to trigger excessive resource consumption in the TMM process by exploiting SSL traffic and client authentication configurations.

The Impact of CVE-2020-5936

The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to a DoS condition, potentially disrupting the availability of services provided by the affected BIG-IP LTM devices.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-5936

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The TMM process in BIG-IP LTM devices may consume excessive resources when processing SSL traffic and client authentication on the client SSL profile.

Affected Systems and Versions

BIG-IP LTM versions 15.1.0-15.1.0.5
BIG-IP LTM versions 14.1.0-14.1.2.7
BIG-IP LTM versions 13.1.0-13.1.3.4
BIG-IP LTM versions 12.1.0-12.1.5.1

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is exploited by enabling SSL traffic and client authentication on the client SSL profile, causing the TMM process to consume excessive resources.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address and prevent the exploitation of this vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable client authentication on the affected SSL profiles to mitigate the resource consumption issue.
Monitor system resources and performance for any signs of abnormal behavior.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch the BIG-IP LTM devices to ensure they are protected against known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Apply the necessary patches provided by F5 Networks to address the vulnerability and enhance the security of the affected systems.