CVE-2025-60013
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated attackers with high privileges to execute arbitrary system commands when initializing the rSeries FIPS module with passwords containing special shell metacharacters. This can lead to command injection attacks and cause the FIPS HSM to fail initialization. Only supported software versions are affected, as end-of-support versions are not evaluated.
💻 Affected Systems
- F5 rSeries FIPS module
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Privileged attacker gains full system control through command injection, potentially compromising the entire system and accessing sensitive data protected by the FIPS HSM.
Likely Case
Authenticated attacker with administrative access executes limited commands, disrupts FIPS module initialization, and potentially gains additional system access.
If Mitigated
Attack prevented through proper input validation and password policies; FIPS module initializes normally without security boundary crossing.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated high-privilege access and knowledge of shell metacharacters.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Check F5 advisory K000154661 for specific patched versions
Vendor Advisory: https://my.f5.com/manage/s/article/K000154661
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Review F5 advisory K000154661. 2. Identify affected version. 3. Apply recommended patch/update. 4. Restart affected services/systems. 5. Verify fix implementation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Password input validation
allImplement strict input validation to reject passwords containing shell metacharacters during FIPS module initialization.
# Implementation depends on specific system configuration
Restrict administrative access
allLimit high-privilege access to only necessary personnel and implement strong authentication controls.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict password policies that prohibit special shell metacharacters in FIPS module initialization passwords.
- Monitor and audit all FIPS module initialization attempts and restrict access to only essential administrative users.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if running affected F5 rSeries software version and review FIPS module initialization logs for metacharacter usage.Check Version:
# Consult F5 documentation for specific version check commands for rSeries appliancesVerify Fix Applied:
Verify patch installation via version check and test FIPS initialization with metacharacter-containing passwords (in controlled environment).📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Failed FIPS module initialization attempts
- Log entries showing shell metacharacters in password fields
- Unexpected command execution in system logs
Network Indicators:
- Unusual administrative access patterns to FIPS management interfaces
SIEM Query:
source="f5_logs" AND (event_type="fips_init_failure" OR password CONTAINS special_chars)