CVE-2021-23012 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis
Discover the impact of CVE-2021-23012, a privilege escalation vulnerability in BIG-IP versions 16.0.x, 15.1.x, 14.1.x, and 13.1.x, allowing unauthorized bash commands execution.
This CVE-2021-23012 article provides details about a vulnerability found in BIG-IP versions 16.0.x before 16.0.1.1, 15.1.x before 15.1.3, 14.1.x before 14.1.4, and 13.1.x before 13.1.4, allowing privilege escalation through arbitrary bash commands execution.
Understanding CVE-2021-23012
CVE-2021-23012 is a security vulnerability identified in F5's BIG-IP application delivery controller.
What is CVE-2021-23012?
The CVE-2021-23012 vulnerability exists in BIG-IP versions due to a lack of input validation, enabling users with specific roles to run unauthorized bash commands, potentially leading to a complete system compromise.
The Impact of CVE-2021-23012
The vulnerability could be exploited by users with "Resource Administrator" or "Administrator" roles, allowing them to execute malicious bash commands on the BIG-IP system, leading to unauthorized privilege escalation.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-23012
This section provides a deeper insight into the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-23012 vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The lack of input validation in the system support functionality of affected BIG-IP versions permits unauthorized users to execute arbitrary bash commands, posing a significant security risk.
Affected Systems and Versions
BIG-IP versions 16.0.x before 16.0.1.1, 15.1.x before 15.1.3, 14.1.x before 14.1.4, and 13.1.x before 13.1.4 are susceptible to this privilege escalation vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
Users granted "Resource Administrator" or "Administrator" roles can exploit this vulnerability by running arbitrary bash commands through the affected system support functionality.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address the CVE-2021-23012 vulnerability, the following measures should be considered.
Immediate Steps to Take
Ensure timely patching and restrict access to privileged roles only to authorized personnel to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
Long-Term Security Practices
Regular security audits, access controls review, and employee training on secure coding practices are essential for enhancing system security.
Patching and Updates
Apply the necessary security patches provided by F5 to update the affected BIG-IP versions and eliminate the vulnerability.