CVE-2023-46747 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A critical vulnerability has been discovered in F5's BIG-IP system that could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary system commands by bypassing configuration utility authentication. This article delves into the details of CVE-2023-46747 and provides insights into its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

Understanding CVE-2023-46747

CVE-2023-46747 pertains to an unauthenticated remote code execution vulnerability in the BIG-IP Configuration utility of F5's BIG-IP system. The vulnerability could potentially be exploited by an attacker with network access to launch arbitrary system commands, posing a severe security risk.

What is CVE-2023-46747?

Undisclosed requests may bypass configuration utility authentication, allowing an attacker with network access to the BIG-IP system through the 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.

The Impact of CVE-2023-46747

With a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8, this critical vulnerability has a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The attack complexity is low, and an attacker can exploit the vulnerability over the network without requiring any privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-46747

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows attackers to bypass configuration utility authentication, gaining unauthorized access to execute system commands on the BIG-IP system.

Affected Systems and Versions

Version 17.1.0 of BIG-IP is affected, among others, while versions such as 16.1.0, 15.1.0, 14.1.0, and 13.1.0 also exhibit susceptibility.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by sending undisclosed requests that bypass authentication, providing attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary system commands.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations using the affected versions are advised to apply security patches promptly and monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict access controls, firewall rules, and network segmentation to limit exposure to potential attackers.

Patching and Updates

F5 has released patches for the affected versions, and users are encouraged to update their systems to the latest versions to mitigate the risk of exploitation.