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Full vulnerability report · 2020
CVE-2020-5902High confidence

F5 BIG-IP Traffic Management User Interface (TMUI) Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

F5 · BIG-IP

9.8CriticalCVSS 3.1
Recommended action
Mitigate now

CISA confirms exploitation in the wild and lists 2022-05-03 as the remediation due date.

Mitigation available
R
Operational reassessment

Published severity in operational context

Open reassessment dashboard →
Published severityCriticalOperational priority:Critical, unchanged from published severity.unchanged

Evidence used

  • CISA confirms exploitation in the wild.
  • A structured source references public exploit or proof-of-concept material.
  • The selected CVSS metric records a network-reachable, unauthenticated path with no user interaction.
  • EPSS is 100.00% for the current model date.

Compensating controls

  • Apply the linked authoritative mitigation while planning the permanent fix.
  • Restrict the affected network interface to trusted sources where business-safe.
  • Increase monitoring for the attack path and post-exploitation behaviour described in the report.

Verification

  1. Confirm that the asset runs F5 BIG-IP and falls inside the recorded affected range.
  2. Recheck the vendor advisory before scheduling a change because no verified fixed version is currently retained.
  3. Validate exposure, authentication requirements and compensating controls in the actual environment.
  4. Reopen this reassessment when CVSS, KEV, EPSS, exploit evidence or remediation changes.
Mitigation target: Within 3 daysRemediation target: Within 90 days

This automated reassessment organises public evidence. It does not know asset exposure, business impact or control effectiveness and does not replace CVSS or a human risk decision.

Optional official sources

National CERT insights
?CERT means Computer Emergency Response Team; CSIRT is the closely related term Computer Security Incident Response Team.

Choose official national sources for this report. Each advisory shows its original language. Your selection is remembered on this device and included in shared links.

Official European source

ENISA European Vulnerability Database

Official EUVD identifiers, advisory evidence and known-exploited context. Missing fields are not treated as evidence of low risk.

1 current
ENISA EUVD identifier

EUVD-2020-27056

CISA KEV mirrored by ENISA

In BIG-IP versions 15.0.0-15.1.0.3, 14.1.0-14.1.2.5, 13.1.0-13.1.3.3, 12.1.0-12.1.5.1, and 11.6.1-11.6.5.1, the Traffic Management User Interface (TMUI), also referred to as the Configuration utility, has a Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability in undisclosed pages.

EUVD state
Present in the current official mapping
Known exploitation
Recorded by ENISA since 3 Nov 2021. Evidence sources: cisa_kev.
ENISA score
9.8 · CVSS 3.1
Advisory evidence
No linked advisory details stored yet
Recommended actionMitigate now

CISA confirms exploitation in the wild and lists 2022-05-03 as the remediation due date.

Mitigation available
01

What, why and how

F5 BIG-IP Traffic Management User Interface (TMUI) contains a remote code execution vulnerability in undisclosed pages.

What

F5 BIG-IP Traffic Management User Interface (TMUI) contains a remote code execution vulnerability in undisclosed pages.

Why

Attacker-controlled path data is not constrained to the intended directory before the application accesses a file.

How

An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication or user interaction. If successful, the issue may execute code or commands in the affected security context.

What

F5 BIG-IP Traffic Management User Interface (TMUI) contains a remote code execution vulnerability in undisclosed pages.

Why

Attacker-controlled path data is not constrained to the intended directory before the application accesses a file.

How

An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication or user interaction. If successful, the issue may execute code or commands in the affected security context.

02

Exploit reality and attack path

CVSS severity, EPSS forecast probability, public exploit material and CISA-confirmed exploitation are separate signals.

Observed exploitation
?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.
Confirmed in the wild

CISA added this CVE to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on 2021-11-03. Known ransomware campaign use is recorded.

Public PoC / exploit material
?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.
Reference recorded

A structured CVE source labels at least one public reference as exploit material. BlackTree has not independently validated that it is safe, reliable or weaponised.

Likely attack path
a network path → Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') → execute code or commands in the affected security context
Attack surface
Network
Privileges required
None: unauthenticated exploitation is possible
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
Low: no specialised conditions are recorded
Security boundary
Unchanged: impact remains within the vulnerable component's security authority
Weakness
?CWE means Common Weakness Enumeration: a standard category for the underlying weakness.
CWE-22 ↗

CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal'). The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.

CVSS vector
?CVSS means Common Vulnerability Scoring System. The vector records the metric values used to calculate technical severity.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Common Vulnerability Scoring System 3.1: the compact vector below is decoded into plain language.

AVNetworkAttack vector: The vulnerable component can be reached over a network.ACLowAttack complexity: No specialised conditions are required beyond attacker-controlled input.PRNonePrivileges required: The attacker does not need an account or existing privileges.UINoneUser interaction: No action by another user is required.SUnchangedScope: The security impact remains within the vulnerable component's authority.CHighConfidentiality impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.IHighIntegrity impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.AHighAvailability impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.
Post-exploitation / living off the land
After compromise, an attacker may use built-in shells, scripting engines, scheduled tasks and native network utilities for discovery, persistence or movement. This is a plausible LoTL path, not evidence that it has occurred for every attack.
NetworkUnauthenticatedRemote code executionCWE-22CISA KEVPublic exploit reference
A

Official authority intelligence

Only matched European and national findings are included. Language selectors and unavailable sources are omitted.

ENISA EUVD · EUVD-2020-27056Known-exploited evidence recorded

In BIG-IP versions 15.0.0-15.1.0.3, 14.1.0-14.1.2.5, 13.1.0-13.1.3.3, 12.1.0-12.1.5.1, and 11.6.1-11.6.5.1, the Traffic Management User Interface (TMUI), also referred to as the Configuration utility, has a Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability in undisclosed pages.

Official EUVD record ↗
Canadian Centre for Cyber Security · English · AL21-007APT Actors Target U.S. and Allied Networks - update 1

On 15 April 2021, the NSA, CISA, and FBI issued a Joint Cybersecurity Advisory [ 1 ], drawing attention to widespread scanning and exploitation of several vulnerabilities by APT actors. The advisory states that the APT actors are targeting vulnerable systems to obtain authentication credentials and enable further access within networks, including national security and government systems. Examples of recent activity include compromising SolarWinds Orion updates, targeting COVID-19 research facilities, and leveraging a VMWare vulnerability for authentication abuse. The Cybersecurity Advisory highlights the following vulnerabilities being exploited: CVE-2018-13379 Fortinet [ 2 ], [ 3 ] CVE-2019-9670 Zimbra [ 3 ] CVE-2019-11510 Pulse Secure [ 3 ], [ 4 ] CVE-2019-19781 Citrix [ 3 ] CVE-2020-4006 VMware [ 5 ] UPDATE 1 [ 6 ] CVE-2020-5902 F5 Big-IP CVE-2020-14882 Oracle WebLogic CVE-2021-21972 VMWare vSphere CVE-2019-1653 Cisco router CVE-2019-2725 Oracle WebLogic Server CVE-2019-7609 Kibana CVE-2021-26857 Exchange (SOAP payload) CVE-2021-26858 Exchange (Arbitrary files) CVE-2021-27065 Exchange (Arbitrary files) The Cyber Centre is highlighting this advisory, as it provides important information to system owners and operators responsible for defending their systems and networks from cyber threats. There are software updates and mitigations for these vulnerabilities. See past reporting by the Cyber Center and partners for more details. Should activity matching the content of this Alert be discovered, recipients are encouraged to contact the Cyber Centre by email ( contact@cyber.gc.ca ) or by telephone ( 1-833-CYBER-88 or 1-833-292-3788 ).

Official advisory ↗
Canadian Centre for Cyber Security · English · AL20-018Active Exploitation of F5 BIG-IP Vulnerability

The Cyber Centre has become aware of reported exploitation attempts against the Traffic Management User Interface (TMUI) also known as the Configuration Utility for F5 BIG-IP products. Successful exploitation could result in remote code execution. UPDATE : The Cyber Centre has become aware of exploitation attempts against the Traffic Management User Interface (TMUI) of F5 BIG-IP products in Canada. Successful exploitation could result in information disclosure or remote code execution which could lead to a full system compromise.

Official advisory ↗
Cyber Security Agency of Singapore · English · CSA-SB-20200708Security Bulletin 08 Jul 2020

The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore included this CVE in its official Security Bulletin 08 Jul 2020, published on 8 July 2020. Open the linked bulletin for the product, severity and reference information published in that issue.

Official advisory ↗
CERT-FR · French · CERTFR-2020-AVI-399Multiples vulnérabilités dans F5 BIG-IP

De multiples vulnérabilités ont été découvertes dans F5 BIG-IP. Certaines d'entre elles permettent à un attaquant de provoquer une exécution de code arbitraire à distance, une atteinte à l'intégrité des données et une atteinte à la confidentialité des données.

Official advisory ↗
JVN iPedia · Japanese · JVNDB-2020-007318複数の BIG-IP 製品におけるコードインジェクションの脆弱性

複数の BIG-IP 製品には、コードインジェクションの脆弱性が存在します。

Official advisory ↗
KISA KrCERT/CC · Korean · KNVD-5219해킹 공격에 악용되는 취약점 업데이트 권고

리의 객체에 대한 처리가 미흡하여 발생하는 원격코드실행 취약점 Oracle WebLogic Server CVE-2015-4852 [9] 조작된 자바 객체를 역직렬화하여 발생하는 임의코드실행 취약점 Coherence CVE-2020-2555 [10] 조작한 T3 프로토콜의 request를 허용 및 역직렬화하여 발생하는 원격코드실행 취약점 Citrix ADC, Gateway, SDWAN- WANOP CVE-2019-19781 [11] 공격자가 인증을 우회하여 임의코드를 실행할 수 있는 취약점 CVE-2020-8193, 8195, 8196 [12] 허가되지 않은 사용자가 특정 URL에접근 가능하여 발생하는 정보노출 취약점 Atlassian Confluence Server CVE-2019-3396 [13] Widget Connector macro에서 발생하는 경로탐색 및 원격코드실행 취약점 Crowd, Crowd Data Center CVE-2019-11580 [14] 임의 플러그인 설치를 허용하여 발생하는 원격코드실행 취약점 Pulse Secure Pulse Connect Secure (PCS) CVE-2019-11510 [15] 접근통제가 미흡하여 원격의 공격자가 임의 파일을 읽을 수 있는 취약점 BIG-IP Traffic Management UI CVE-2020-5902 [16] 접근통제가 미흡하여 발생하는 원격코드실행 취약점 MobileIron Core, Connector CVE-2020-15505 [17] 원격의 공격자가 임의 코드를 실행할 수 있는 원격코드실행 취약점 Exim 메일 서비스 CVE-2018-6789 [18] base64 decode 함수에서 발생하는 버퍼오버플로우 취약점 Adobe ColdFusion CVE-2018-4939 [19] 신뢰되지 않은 데이터를 역직렬화하여 발생하는 원격코드실행 취약점 Zoho ManageEngine Desktop Central CVE-2020-10189 [20] 신뢰되지 않은 데이터를 역직렬화하여 발생하는 원격코드실행 취약점 Progress Telerik Progress Telerik CVE-2019-18935 [21] 신뢰되지 않은 데이터를 역직렬화하여 발생하는 원격코드실행 취약점 Symantec Messaging Gateway CVE-2017-6327 [22] 원격의 공격자가 권한상승 후 원격코드실행이 가능한 취약점 Cisco IOS XR CVE-2020-3118 [23] CDP 메시지에 대한 검증이 미흡하여 발생하는 포맷 스트링 취약점 DrayTek Vigor2960 CVE-2020-8515 [24] 인증을 우회하여 원격코드실행이 가능한 취약점 #####

Official advisory ↗
KISA KrCERT/CC · Korean · KNVD-5169F5 BIG-IP 제품군 보안 업데이트 권고

BIG-IP의 Traffic Management User Interface(TMUI)에서 접근통제가 미흡하여 발생하는 원격코드실행 취약점(CVE-2020-5902) [1]

Official advisory ↗
03

Patch and workaround

Operational remediation based on structured source evidence.

Status
?Patch availability is based on structured fixed-version fields and authoritative update references. If no fix is verified, check the vendor advisory before making a change.
Mitigation available
Affected
BIG-IP: 15.0.0-15.1.0.3, 14.1.0-14.1.2.5, 13.1.0-13.1.3.3, 12.1.0-12.1.5.1, 11.6.1-11.6.5.1
Fixed
No fixed version is explicitly recorded in the structured CVE data.
Action
F5 has released software updates for CVE-2020-5902 as well as mitigation guidance for affected devices if patching is not immediately possible. F5 notes that authenticated users accessing the TMUI will still be able to exploit the vulnerability until the products have been successfully patched: All network interfaces Self IPs Management interface CCCS would also recommend: Ensure timely application of patches and updated software. Effectively segment networks and implement demilitarized zones (DMZs) with properly configured firewalls to selectively control and monitor traffic passed between zones. Minimize network exposure for all systems and ensure that they are not directly accessible from the Internet. Ensure the product servers and management consoles are restricted to trusted networks and/or users as appropriate. UPDATE : Monitor for authenticated users connecting to potentially affected devices from unknown IP addresses.
Workaround
No verified workaround is recorded. If business-safe, reduce exposure to the affected interface and allow only trusted sources until authoritative guidance is available.
04

Evidence and provenance

Published 1 Jul 2020 · Last source change 21 Oct 2025, 23:35 UTC · CWE-22 · Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')

CVE recordCVE.org · 5.1
CVSS sourceNIST NVD
EPSS source
?The date BlackTree first stored a score for this CVE from the daily FIRST EPSS feed.
FIRST · tracked since 2026-08-14
European sourceENISA EUVD · EUVD-2020-27056
Product sourceCISA KEV
Remediation sourceCVE/CNA references
CWE sourceCISA ADP
NVD statusNVD enriched

Core structured fields are present and their contributing authorities are shown above.

Material change intelligence

What changed after publication

View recent updates ↗
  1. Vendor guidanceAuthoritative vendor guidance changed: removed remediation: cyber.gc.ca/active-exploitation-f5-big-ip-vulnerability.
    Before
    remediation: cyber.gc.ca/active-exploitation-f5-big-ip-vulnerability · vendor advisory: support.f5.com/K52145254
    After
    vendor advisory: support.f5.com/K52145254
    support.f5.com ↗
  2. Remediation statusRemediation status changed from Mitigation available to Awaiting fix.
    Before
    Mitigation available
    After
    Awaiting fix
    support.f5.com ↗
  3. Affected versionsThe structured affected or fixed version information changed.
    Before
    15.0.0-15.1.0.3, 14.1.0-14.1.2.5, 13.1.0-13.1.3.3, 12.1.0-12.1.5.1, 11.6.1-11.6.5.1 · Fixed: No fixed version is explicitly recorded in the structured CVE data.
    After
    BIG-IP: 15.0.0-15.1.0.3, 14.1.0-14.1.2.5, 13.1.0-13.1.3.3, 12.1.0-12.1.5.1, 11.6.1-11.6.5.1 · Fixed: No fixed version is explicitly recorded in the structured CVE data.
    CNA ↗
  4. Remediation statusRemediation status changed from Awaiting fix to Mitigation available.
    Before
    Awaiting fix
    After
    Mitigation available
    Canadian Centre for Cyber Security ↗
Material fields only · duplicate refreshes suppressed · history retained for the configured operational retention period
CVE published
Added to CISA KEV
Remediation guidance recorded
ENISA EUVD · EUVD-2020-27056↗Canadian Centre for Cyber Security remediation guidance↗CISA KEV record↗CVE authority or vendor reference↗Public exploit reference↗Public exploit reference↗Official CVE record (CNA and ADP data)↗NVD record↗
Technical terms and abbreviations used in this report
CVE
Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures: the public identifier for one disclosed vulnerability.
CVSS
Common Vulnerability Scoring System: a technical severity framework; it is not patching priority by itself.
EPSS
Exploit Prediction Scoring System: FIRST's estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days; it is a forecast, not confirmation.
CWE
Common Weakness Enumeration: the standard category describing the underlying software or hardware weakness.
CNA
CVE Numbering Authority: an organisation authorised to assign and publish CVE records.
CISA ADP
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Authorized Data Publisher: structured enrichment added to a CVE record.
NVD
National Vulnerability Database: NIST's enrichment service for CVE records.
CERT / CSIRT
A computer security incident response team that publishes warnings or coordinates incident response.
PoC
Proof of concept: public material that demonstrates or helps reproduce exploitation.
CSAF
Common Security Advisory Framework: a machine-readable format for security advisories.
LoTL
Living off the land: abuse of legitimate tools or system functions during an attack.
Free version - for non-commercial use only.CVE-2020-5902 · cve.blacktree.nl