F5 Big IP opens up vulnerability during configuration
.png)
F5 Networks’ popular load balancing software BIG-IP harbours a vulnerability that could let malicious code seep in using just an online form.
"Load balancing is an important web management process that keeps many internet services ticking," said F-Secure, which spotted the vulnerability. "Without it, banks, governments, and other organisations providing online services to large numbers of people would struggle to keep their websites running."
Senior security consultant Christoffer Jerkeby discovered the vulnerability during a routine assessment. More than 300,000 organisations including state bodies and large banks use BIG-IP, broadening the scope of potential damages.
"Further research found that, following a successful exploit, an adversary could turn the compromised device back against the organisation or even individuals using the affected services," it added.
F-Secure said it is yet to receive reports of misuse of this vulnerability.
"F5 is a popular technology and we found over 300,000 (potentially vulnerable) devices on-line. Google and services like Shodan can be used to search for these also. The F5 website also contains information on their clients and sectors," Dave Hartley, technical director at F-Secure, told SC Media UK.
He refrained from revealing the names of the vulnerable F5 clients, saying: "These companies may be at risk of compromise."
Curiously, BIG-IP itself is immune to the vulnerability. It creeps up only when an organisation mis-configures BIG-IP’s iRules, the procedures written in tool command language (Tcl) to direct incoming web traffic toward the correct web server.
"These iRules are created using the tool command language (Tcl). Certain coding practices that may seem perfectly functional and practical to an organisation can allow an attacker to inject arbitrary Tcl commands, which could be executed in the security context of the target Tcl script," the report said.
In some implementations of BIG-IP, injecting a malicious code can be as easy as filling an online form, F-Secure revealed.
The threat posed is way bigger than a simple data breach, Hartley told SC Media UK. "An attacker can leverage the issue to achieve much more than a data breach alone. If the prerequisites are met, it could result in an adversary taking full control of the F5."
However, the scope and depth of the attack will vary, depending on the objective of the attacker and the scale of operations of the target organisation, he said.
"The F5 is often used for perimeter security and traffic management and there have been issues identified in similar technologies in the past that have had a severe impact for some -- firewalls, anti-virus, e-mail sandbox technologies etc.," he explained.
Addressing the issue, F5 released a public advisory.
"This is not a vulnerability in Tcl, or F5 products, but rather an issue relating to coding practices used when writing Tcl code. As with most programming or scripting languages, it is possible to write code in a way that may create vulnerabilities. This is not something F5 can prevent the user from doing, as the issue does not lend itself to neither deterministic nor heuristic detection that covers all possible cases," it said.
"The Tcl documentation previously cited provides more comprehensive recommendations. However, the simple answer is that expressions in Tcl should always be braced," it added.
source scmagazineuk
Industry: Cyber Security

Latest Jobs
-
- Network Security Engineer
- Germany
- €550 a day
-
German- based contract opportunity This is an onsite based position, we would need the Network Security engineer to be able to work on the client site 5 days a week Seeking an experienced Network Security Engineer for a leading technology company. Strong expertise in firewall/IPS solutions, proxy solutions, and certificate management is required. Good hands-on experience in networking and web-related technologies necessary. Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work under pressure are essential. we are looking for a Network Security Engineer with the following experience: · Expertise in Administration, Management & Troubleshooting of Firewall / IPS solutions / Proxy solutions/Certificate Management Solutions · Good Hands-on Experience on security devices (PaloAlto/ /McAfee Proxy/CISCO ISE/Certificate Management) · Good Hands-on Experience in Networking with skills of switching, routing & wireless Technologies · Familiarity with web related technologies (Web applications, Web Services, Service Oriented Architectures) and of network/web related protocol · Configuration of NAT / PAT, firewall policies, profiling, objects, AD-Integration, backup – restore · Knowledge of Subnetting TCP/IP Communication, VLSM Configuration of VLAN VTP · Configuration of Routing Protocols e.g. RIPv1 & v2, OSPF, EIGRP, BGP Knowledge of standard and extended ACL 12 month contract
-
- IAM Consultant
- N/A
- Upto £110,000 depending on level of position
-
Identity Access Management (IAM) Consultant Location: Germany We are seeking an experienced IAM consultants in Germany. we are looking for people from consultant through to Architect, The ideal candidate will have previous IAM deployment experience and be fluent in German. Key responsibilities: Design and implement IAM solutions for clients Provide expertise on industry best practices and standards Troubleshoot and resolve IAM-related issues Work closely with clients to understand their business requirements and provide solutions to meet those needs Qualifications: Previous deployment experience with IAM solutions Fluency in German Strong understanding of IAM technologies and principles Excellent communication and project management skills If you are an experienced IAM consultant with a strong track record of delivering successful projects, please apply today.
-
- ForgeRock Consultant
- Spain
- Upto €85000 plus benefits
-
ForgeRock deployment consultant is needed for this expanding IT Services business within Spain, to act as their ForgeRock technical lead, Responsibilities include: High level and low level design, Scoping the techical needs of the project design, configure, develop and test the forgeRock deployment. We are looking for a strong IAM consultant ideally with ForgeRock experience, Must have strong Oauth 2.0, SAML and API experience
-
- IAM Consultant
- France
- Upto €85000 plus benefits
-
An Identity & Access Management Consultant is needed for an expanding IT Security consultancy, based in France. (Remote role with monthly office meet-ups) The Identity & Access Management Consultant will be responsible for the technical design and implementation of Identity & Access Management/IAM products for a wide variety of clients. Deliver bespoke end-to-end consultancy service to our clients, from gathering requirements through to implementation. Work in a close team designing, developing, and implementing first-class IAM solutions. Manage client relationships, working closely with key stakeholders to continually evaluate business requirements and ensure the highest quality solution delivery. If you are interested we are looking for an individual with Previous experience working within the IAM or CIAM field is essential, Strong knowledge with SAML and Oauth and ideally OpenID Previous experience from any of these technologies: One Identity, SailPoint, Saviynt, Ubisecure, Ping Identity, would be advantageous