CVE-2023-46748 Overview
CVE-2023-46748 is an authenticated SQL injection vulnerability affecting the F5 BIG-IP Configuration utility. This vulnerability allows 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. The flaw exists in the web-based management interface, which fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries.
This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it has been observed being actively exploited in the wild and has been added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. Organizations running affected F5 BIG-IP products should treat remediation as an urgent priority.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can leverage this SQL injection vulnerability to execute arbitrary system commands, potentially leading to complete system compromise of critical network infrastructure devices.
Affected Products
- F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager
- F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager
- F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager
- F5 BIG-IP Application Security Manager
- F5 BIG-IP Advanced Web Application Firewall
- F5 BIG-IP Domain Name System
- F5 BIG-IP Global Traffic Manager
- F5 BIG-IP Carrier-Grade NAT
- F5 BIG-IP DDoS Hybrid Defender
- F5 BIG-IP SSL Orchestrator
- F5 BIG-IP Policy Enforcement Manager
- F5 BIG-IP Analytics
- F5 BIG-IP Application Acceleration Manager
- F5 BIG-IP Link Controller
- F5 BIG-IP WebAccelerator
- F5 BIG-IP WebSafe
- F5 BIG-IP Fraud Protection Services
- F5 BIG-IP Application Visibility and Reporting
- F5 BIG-IP Container Ingress Services
- F5 BIG-IP Automation Toolchain
Discovery Timeline
- October 26, 2023 - CVE-2023-46748 published to NVD
- October 27, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2023-46748
Vulnerability Analysis
This SQL injection vulnerability (CWE-89) resides within the BIG-IP Configuration utility's web interface. The vulnerability allows authenticated users to inject malicious SQL statements through improperly sanitized input fields. What makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous is that successful exploitation doesn't just allow database manipulation—it enables arbitrary system command execution on the underlying BIG-IP device.
The attack requires authentication to the Configuration utility, meaning the attacker must first obtain valid credentials. However, once authenticated, even a low-privileged user can exploit this flaw to escalate their access and execute commands with the privileges of the BIG-IP system. This vulnerability has been observed being chained with other vulnerabilities in active exploitation campaigns.
Root Cause
The root cause of CVE-2023-46748 is improper input validation and sanitization in the BIG-IP Configuration utility. User-supplied input is incorporated directly into SQL queries without adequate filtering or parameterization, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL syntax. The vulnerability is further exacerbated by the system's ability to translate SQL injection into command execution, indicating that database commands can invoke system-level functions.
Attack Vector
The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based, requiring the attacker to have authenticated access to the BIG-IP Configuration utility. The attack can be executed through:
- Direct access to the BIG-IP management port (typically port 443 for TMUI)
- Access through configured self IP addresses that expose the Configuration utility
- Any network path that provides authenticated access to the web-based management interface
Once authenticated, the attacker crafts specially formatted input containing SQL injection payloads. The vulnerable application processes these payloads without proper sanitization, allowing the malicious SQL to execute. The injected commands can then trigger system-level command execution, potentially compromising the entire BIG-IP infrastructure.
The vulnerability is exploitable with low-privilege authenticated access and requires no user interaction beyond the initial authentication, making it highly attractive to threat actors targeting network infrastructure.
Detection Methods for CVE-2023-46748
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected entries in /var/log/tomcat/catalina.out containing SQL injection patterns or command execution strings
- Anomalous database queries in BIG-IP Configuration utility logs showing SQL syntax injection attempts
- Unauthorized configuration changes or new user accounts created on BIG-IP devices
- Suspicious process executions spawned from the Tomcat web server context
Detection Strategies
- Monitor BIG-IP management interface access logs for unusual authentication patterns or repeated failed attempts followed by successful logins
- Implement network-based intrusion detection rules to identify SQL injection payloads targeting BIG-IP Configuration utility endpoints
- Review audit logs for unexpected command executions or privilege escalation events on BIG-IP devices
- Deploy application-layer monitoring to detect malformed HTTP requests containing SQL metacharacters
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable comprehensive logging on BIG-IP management interfaces and forward logs to a centralized SIEM for correlation analysis
- Implement alerting for any administrative actions performed outside of maintenance windows or by unexpected user accounts
- Monitor network traffic to BIG-IP management ports for anomalous patterns or connections from unauthorized source addresses
How to Mitigate CVE-2023-46748
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the security patches provided by F5 immediately to all affected BIG-IP devices
- Restrict network access to the BIG-IP Configuration utility to trusted management networks only
- Review all user accounts with access to the Configuration utility and remove unnecessary privileges
- Audit BIG-IP devices for signs of compromise before and after patching
Patch Information
F5 has released security patches addressing CVE-2023-46748. Administrators should consult the F5 Support Article K000137365 for specific version information and patching instructions. Software versions that have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated and customers using these versions should upgrade to supported releases.
Given that this vulnerability is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, federal agencies and critical infrastructure organizations may be subject to mandatory remediation timelines.
Workarounds
- Block access to the Configuration utility from untrusted networks by configuring firewall rules or BIG-IP self IP port lockdown settings
- Implement multi-factor authentication for all BIG-IP management access to reduce the risk of credential compromise
- Consider disabling the Configuration utility entirely if not required, using CLI-based management as an alternative
- Use network segmentation to isolate BIG-IP management interfaces from general user networks
# Example: Restrict Configuration utility access using port lockdown
# On BIG-IP, configure self IP port lockdown to limit management access
# This should be done through tmsh or the GUI with caution
# Via tmsh - set port lockdown to allow only specific protocols
tmsh modify net self <self_ip_name> allow-service default
# To be more restrictive, use 'none' and explicitly allow only required services
tmsh modify net self <self_ip_name> allow-service none
# Verify the configuration
tmsh list net self <self_ip_name> allow-service
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
