CVE-2021-22998 : Security Advisory and Response
Learn about CVE-2021-22998 impacting BIG-IP versions, exposing devices to DoS attacks due to missing SYN flood protection thresholds. Explore the technical details and mitigation steps.
A detailed overview of CVE-2021-22998 affecting BIG-IP devices, highlighting the vulnerability, impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.
Understanding CVE-2021-22998
This section delves into the impact of the CVE-2021-22998 vulnerability on BIG-IP devices.
What is CVE-2021-22998?
CVE-2021-22998 affects BIG-IP versions 16.0.x before 16.0.1.1, 15.1.x before 15.1.2.1, 14.1.x before 14.1.4, 13.1.x before 13.1.3.6, 12.1.x before 12.1.5.3, and 11.6.x before 11.6.5.3, where SYN flood protection thresholds are not enforced in secure network address translation (SNAT) listeners.
The Impact of CVE-2021-22998
The vulnerability poses a risk as SYN flood protection thresholds are omitted in SNAT listeners, potentially leading to denial-of-service (DoS) attacks on affected versions.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-22998
This section outlines the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-22998 vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability arises due to the lack of enforcement of SYN flood protection thresholds in SNAT listeners on specified BIG-IP versions.
Affected Systems and Versions
BIG-IP versions 16.0.x before 16.0.1.1, 15.1.x before 15.1.2.1, 14.1.x before 14.1.4, 13.1.x before 13.1.3.6, 12.1.x before 12.1.5.3, and 11.6.x before 11.6.5.3 are impacted by CVE-2021-22998.
Exploitation Mechanism
Exploiting this vulnerability involves bypassing the missing SYN flood protection thresholds in SNAT listeners, potentially facilitating DoS attacks.
Mitigation and Prevention
This section provides guidance on mitigating the risks associated with CVE-2021-22998.
Immediate Steps to Take
To address this vulnerability, users are advised to update affected BIG-IP devices to the patched versions and configure proper DoS protection controls.
Long-Term Security Practices
In the long run, organizations should implement proactive security measures, conduct regular security assessments, and stay informed about potential vulnerabilities.
Patching and Updates
Regularly apply security patches and updates provided by F5 Networks to keep BIG-IP devices secure and shielded from known vulnerabilities.