CVE-2021-23051 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2021-23051, a vulnerability in BIG-IP versions 15.1.0.4-15.1.3 on AWS. Explore its impact, technical details, affected systems, and mitigation steps.
On BIG-IP versions 15.1.0.4 through 15.1.3, a vulnerability exists where undisclosed requests can lead to the termination of the Traffic Management Microkernel (TMM) when using the Data Plane Development Kit (DPDK)/Elastic Network Adapter (ENA) driver on Amazon Web Services (AWS) systems. This vulnerability is a result of an incomplete fix for CVE-2020-5862.
Understanding CVE-2021-23051
This section provides insights into the nature and impact of the CVE-2021-23051 vulnerability.
What is CVE-2021-23051?
CVE-2021-23051 is a vulnerability in BIG-IP versions 15.1.0.4 through 15.1.3 that can be exploited through undisclosed requests, causing the TMM to terminate on AWS systems.
The Impact of CVE-2021-23051
The vulnerability can have severe consequences as it allows attackers to disrupt the Traffic Management Microkernel, affecting the availability and performance of applications running on affected systems.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-23051
Explore the specific technical aspects of the CVE-2021-23051 vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability arises from incomplete security fixes related to the DPDK/ENA driver, enabling malicious requests to trigger the TMM termination.
Affected Systems and Versions
BIG-IP versions 15.1.0.4 through 15.1.3 are impacted by this vulnerability when running on AWS systems with the DPDK/ENA driver.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending undisclosed requests to the affected BIG-IP systems, leading to TMM termination.
Mitigation and Prevention
Discover the steps to mitigate and prevent the CVE-2021-23051 vulnerability.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users are advised to apply relevant security patches, closely monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity, and restrict access to vulnerable systems.
Long-Term Security Practices
Ensuring timely software updates, implementing network segmentation, and conducting regular security audits are essential for long-term security resilience.
Patching and Updates
Vendor-supplied patches addressing the CVE-2021-23051 vulnerability should be promptly applied to affected systems to remediate the issue.