CVE-2021-22986

KEVRansomware UseF5 BIG-IP and BIG-IQ Centralized Management iControl REST Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Description

F5 BIG-IP and BIG-IQ Centralized Management contain a remote code execution vulnerability in the iControl REST interface that allows unauthenticated attackers with network access to execute system commands, create or delete files, and disable services.

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.

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

PublishedMar 31, 2021

Last modifiedJun 17, 2026

Added to KEVNov 3, 2021

Remediation dueNov 17, 2021

References

packetstormsecurity.com/files/162059/F5-iControl-Server-Side-Request-Forgery-Remote-Command-Execution.htmlExploitThird Party Advisory
packetstormsecurity.com/files/162066/F5-BIG-IP-16.0.x-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlExploitThird Party Advisory
support.f5.com/csp/article/K03009991Vendor Advisory
cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-22986US Government Resource

0 recent articles mention this CVE

Risk assessment · Critical

Actively exploited and used by ransomware crews. Patch immediately.

Exploitation: Confirmed in the wild (CISA KEV)
Federal remediation deadline: Overdue by 1804 days
Ransomware: Used in known ransomware campaigns
CVSS: 9.8 CRITICAL
EPSS (30-day exploit probability): 99.9% · top 1% of all CVEs
Weakness: CWE-918
Attack vector: Network, remotely reachable
Preconditions: No privileges and no user interaction

Recommended actions

1.Apply updates per vendor instructions.
2.Treat as emergency change: patch or isolate internet-facing instances first.
3.Review exposure: confirm which instances are reachable from the internet and restrict access until patched.
4.Hunt for compromise: review logs for the disclosure window, not just from the patch date.
5.Verify offline/immutable backups and segment the affected systems. This flaw is used for ransomware initial access.

Assessment is derived automatically from the live signals above; verify against your own asset inventory.