CVE-2021-22986
CriticalExploitedPublic exploitOn BIG-IP versions 16.0.x before 16.0.1.1, 15.1.x before 15.1.2.1, 14.1.x before 14.1.4, 13.1.x before 13.1.3.6, and 12.1.x before 12.1.5.3 amd BIG-IQ 7.1.0.x before 7.1.0.3 and 7.0.0.x before 7.0.0.2, the iControl REST interface has an unauthenticated remote command execution…
Published Mar 11, 2021 · Updated Oct 21, 2025 · Also known as TR-21-0226
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2021-22986 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.8 v3.1) affecting Big-Ip Access Policy Manager (F5), Big-Ip Advanced Firewall Manager (F5), Big-Ip Advanced Web Application Firewall (F5) and 13 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Jun 1, 2021 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 100% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Big-Ip Access Policy Manager 12.1.5.3, Big-Ip Advanced Firewall Manager 12.1.5.3, Big-Ip Advanced Web Application Firewall 12.1.5.3.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
9.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
100%
Higher than 99.9% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings, used by ransomware
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2021-22986 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
On BIG-IP versions 16.0.x before 16.0.1.1, 15.1.x before 15.1.2.1, 14.1.x before 14.1.4, 13.1.x before 13.1.3.6, and 12.1.x before 12.1.5.3 amd BIG-IQ 7.1.0.x before 7.1.0.3 and 7.0.0.x before 7.0.0.2, the iControl REST interface has an unauthenticated remote command execution vulnerability. Note: Software versions which have reached End of Software Development (EoSD) are not evaluated.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | Nov 3, 2021 | Nov 17, 2021 | Known |
| Industry KEV feed | Jun 1, 2021 | Nov 17, 2021 | Known |
| CIRCL KEV | Nov 3, 2021 | Nov 17, 2021 | Known |
| ENISA EUVD | Nov 3, 2021 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Affected Products
16 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Big-Ip Access Policy ManagerF5 | See advisory | 12.1.5.3 |
| Big-Ip Advanced Firewall ManagerF5 | See advisory | 12.1.5.3 |
| Big-Ip Advanced Web Application FirewallF5 | See advisory | 12.1.5.3 |
| Big-Ip AnalyticsF5 | See advisory | 12.1.5.3 |
| Big-Ip Application Acceleration ManagerF5 | See advisory | 12.1.5.3 |
Patched Releases
Big-Ip Access Policy Manager
12.1.5.3
Big-Ip Advanced Firewall Manager
12.1.5.3
Big-Ip Advanced Web Application Firewall
12.1.5.3
Big-Ip Analytics
12.1.5.3
Big-Ip Application Acceleration Manager
12.1.5.3
Big-Ip Application Security Manager
12.1.5.3
Big-Ip Ddos Hybrid Defender
12.1.5.3
Big-Ip Domain Name System
12.1.5.3
Big-Ip Fraud Protection Service
12.1.5.3
Big-Ip Global Traffic Manager
12.1.5.3
Big-Ip Link Controller
12.1.5.3
Big-Ip Local Traffic Manager
12.1.5.3
Big-Ip Policy Enforcement Manager
12.1.5.3
Big-Iq Centralized Management
6.1.0
SSL Orchestrator
12.1.5.3
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Mar 11, 2021
Added to Industry KEV feed
Jun 1, 2021
Added to CISA KEV
Nov 3, 2021
Added to CIRCL KEV
Nov 3, 2021
Added to ENISA EUVD
Nov 3, 2021
Last updated
Oct 21, 2025
Weakness Type
- CWE-918 Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)
References
- advisoryhttps://support.f5.com/csp/article/K02566623
- advisoryhttps://support.f5.com/csp/article/K03009991
- advisoryhttps://us-cert.cisa.gov/
- advisoryhttps://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/current-activity/2021/03/10/f5-security-advisory-rce-vulnerabilities-big-ip-big-iq
- advisoryUSOM advisory
FAQ
Common Questions.
On BIG-IP versions 16.0.x before 16.0.1.1, 15.1.x before 15.1.2.1, 14.1.x before 14.1.4, 13.1.x before 13.1.3.6, and 12.1.x before 12.1.5.3 amd BIG-IQ 7.1.0.x before 7.1.0.3 and 7.0.0.x before 7.0.0.2, the iControl REST interface has an unauthenticated remote command execution vulnerability.
Affected: Big-Ip Access Policy Manager (F5); Big-Ip Advanced Firewall Manager (F5); Big-Ip Advanced Web Application Firewall (F5), among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Jun 1, 2021 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns.
Yes. It was added on Nov 3, 2021 with a federal remediation due date of Nov 17, 2021.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Big-Ip Access Policy Manager 12.1.5.3, Big-Ip Advanced Firewall Manager 12.1.5.3, Big-Ip Advanced Web Application Firewall 12.1.5.3.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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