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Vulnerability record · CVE-2023-22374 · published 1 February 2023

CVE-2023-22374: F5 BIG-IP iControl SOAP format string flaw enables code execution

F5 · Big Ip Access Policy Manager

iControl SOAP in F5 BIG-IP contains a format string vulnerability (CWE-134) that an authenticated attacker can trigger to crash the iControl SOAP CGI process or potentially execute arbitrary code. In appliance mode BIG-IP, successful exploitation can cross a security boundary, making it a serious risk for exposed management interfaces.

8.5 CVSS 3.1 High EPSS 73% · top 0.6% CWE-134 · CWE-134
8.5CVSS 3.1 base score
73%EPSS exploitation probability, 30 days
NoNot in CISA KEV
12Affected product versions listed by NVD
2References
17 Jun 2026Last modified by NVD

Description

A format string vulnerability exists in iControl SOAP that allows an authenticated attacker to crash the iControl SOAP CGI process or, potentially execute arbitrary code. In appliance mode BIG-IP, a successful exploit of this vulnerability can allow the attacker to cross a security boundary.  Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated.

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

Automated analysis

Generated by VULONE's analysis model from the NVD record, CISA KEV and EPSS data on 18 September 2026. Confidence: medium.

high priorityCVSS 8.5 with scope change and potential code execution, combined with very high EPSS, warrants urgent patching despite no KEV listing.

What it is

iControl SOAP in F5 BIG-IP contains a format string vulnerability (CWE-134) that an authenticated attacker can trigger to crash the iControl SOAP CGI process or potentially execute arbitrary code. In appliance mode BIG-IP, successful exploitation can cross a security boundary, making it a serious risk for exposed management interfaces.

Impact

An authenticated attacker can crash the iControl SOAP CGI process and potentially execute arbitrary code, and in appliance mode can cross a security boundary to reach resources outside the intended scope.

Attack surface

Reachable over the network via the iControl SOAP interface (AV:N) and requires low privileges (PR:L) with no user interaction (UI:N); the scope change (S:C) indicates impact can extend beyond the vulnerable component.

Exploitation

Not listed in CISA KEV and no public exploit references are provided, but EPSS is very high (0.72646, 99.4th percentile), indicating elevated likelihood of exploitation activity.

What to do

  • Apply the F5 vendor advisory K000130415 fixes for affected BIG-IP modules; note that EoTS versions are not evaluated and should be upgraded to a supported release.
  • Restrict network access to iControl SOAP and management interfaces to trusted administrative networks only.
  • Enforce least privilege for iControl SOAP accounts and remove or disable unused accounts.
  • Monitor and alert on iControl SOAP process crashes or unexpected restarts.
  • Where feasible, disable iControl SOAP if it is not required for operations.

Detection

  • Monitor BIG-IP logs for iControl SOAP CGI process crashes, restarts, or abnormal termination events.
  • Alert on unusual or malformed requests to iControl SOAP endpoints from non-administrative sources.
  • Baseline normal iControl SOAP usage and flag deviations in request volume, source IPs, or parameters.
  • Correlate process crash events with subsequent suspicious activity on the BIG-IP appliance.

This assessment is produced automatically and is not human-reviewed. Verify against the vendor advisory before acting on it.

Affected products

12 vulnerable configurations from NVD's CPE data, grouped by vendor and product.

References

LinkTags
https://my.f5.com/manage/s/article/K000130415 Vendor Advisory
https://my.f5.com/manage/s/article/K000130415 Vendor Advisory

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Same products first, then exploited flaws of the same weakness class.

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Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database (record CVE-2023-22374), CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS (scores of 2026-09-26). This page is refreshed as NVD updates the record.