CVE-2019-6594 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

CVE-2019-6594 was published on February 26, 2019, by F5 Networks, Inc. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of BIG-IP, exposing them to a Denial of Service (DoS) risk due to a flaw in Multi-Path TCP (MPTCP).

Understanding CVE-2019-6594

This CVE identifies a specific vulnerability in BIG-IP versions that could lead to an infinite loop under certain conditions.

What is CVE-2019-6594?

The vulnerability in Multi-Path TCP (MPTCP) in affected versions of BIG-IP allows for the exploitation of empty DATA_FINs in the reassembly queue, potentially causing an infinite loop, which can result in a Denial of Service (DoS) attack.

The Impact of CVE-2019-6594

The vulnerability poses a risk of DoS attacks on systems running the affected versions of BIG-IP due to the potential for an infinite loop caused by the mishandling of empty DATA_FINs.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-6594

This section delves into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in Multi-Path TCP (MPTCP) in BIG-IP versions 11.5.1-11.6.3.2, 12.1.3.4-12.1.3.7, 13.0.0 HF1-13.1.1.1, and 14.0.0-14.0.0.2 allows for the exploitation of empty DATA_FINs, leading to a potential infinite loop.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: BIG-IP (LTM, AAM, AFM, Analytics, APM, ASM, DNS, Edge Gateway, FPS, GTM, Link Controller, PEM, WebAccelerator)
Vendor: F5 Networks, Inc.
Versions: 11.5.1-11.6.3.2, 12.1.3.4-12.1.3.7, 13.0.0 HF1-13.1.1.1, 14.0.0-14.0.0.2

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by sending multiple instances of empty DATA_FINs in the reassembly queue, triggering an infinite loop in the affected versions of BIG-IP.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-6594 and enhance system security, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the necessary patches provided by F5 Networks, Inc.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity that could indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and systems to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all affected versions of BIG-IP are updated with the latest patches from F5 Networks, Inc. to mitigate the risk of exploitation.