Detection: F5 BIG-IP iControl REST Vulnerability CVE-2022-1388

Description

The following analytic detects attempts to exploit the F5 BIG-IP iControl REST API vulnerability (CVE-2022-1388) for unauthenticated remote code execution. It identifies suspicious URI paths and POST HTTP methods, along with specific request headers containing potential commands in the utilcmdargs field and a random base64 encoded value in the X-F5-Auth-Token field. This activity is significant as it targets a critical vulnerability that can allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. If confirmed malicious, this could lead to full system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data.

1
2| tstats count from datamodel=Web where Web.url="*/mgmt/tm/util/bash*" Web.http_method="POST" by Web.http_user_agent Web.http_method, Web.url,Web.url_length Web.src, Web.dest 
3| `drop_dm_object_name("Web")` 
4| `security_content_ctime(firstTime)` 
5| `security_content_ctime(lastTime)` 
6| `f5_big_ip_icontrol_rest_vulnerability_cve_2022_1388_filter`

Data Source

Name Platform Sourcetype Source Supported App
Palo Alto Network Threat Network icon Network 'pan:threat' 'pan:threat' N/A

Macros Used

Name Value
security_content_ctime convert timeformat="%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%S" ctime($field$)
f5_big_ip_icontrol_rest_vulnerability_cve_2022_1388_filter search *
f5_big_ip_icontrol_rest_vulnerability_cve_2022_1388_filter is an empty macro by default. It allows the user to filter out any results (false positives) without editing the SPL.

Annotations

- MITRE ATT&CK
+ Kill Chain Phases
+ NIST
+ CIS
- Threat Actors
ID Technique Tactic
T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application Initial Access
T1133 External Remote Services Initial Access
KillChainPhase.DELIVERY
KillChainPhase.INSTALLATION
NistCategory.DE_CM
Cis18Value.CIS_13
APT28
APT29
APT39
APT41
APT5
Axiom
BackdoorDiplomacy
BlackTech
Blue Mockingbird
Cinnamon Tempest
Dragonfly
Earth Lusca
FIN13
FIN7
Fox Kitten
GALLIUM
GOLD SOUTHFIELD
HAFNIUM
Ke3chang
Kimsuky
Magic Hound
Moses Staff
MuddyWater
Rocke
Sandworm Team
Threat Group-3390
ToddyCat
Volatile Cedar
Volt Typhoon
menuPass
APT18
APT28
APT29
APT41
Akira
Chimera
Dragonfly
FIN13
FIN5
GALLIUM
GOLD SOUTHFIELD
Ke3chang
Kimsuky
LAPSUS$
Leviathan
OilRig
Sandworm Team
Scattered Spider
TeamTNT
Threat Group-3390
Wizard Spider

Default Configuration

This detection is configured by default in Splunk Enterprise Security to run with the following settings:

Setting Value
Disabled true
Cron Schedule 0 * * * *
Earliest Time -70m@m
Latest Time -10m@m
Schedule Window auto
Creates Notable Yes
Rule Title %name%
Rule Description %description%
Notable Event Fields user, dest
Creates Risk Event True
This configuration file applies to all detections of type TTP. These detections will use Risk Based Alerting and generate Notable Events.

Implementation

To successfully implement this search, you need to be ingesting web or proxy logs, or ensure it is being filled by a proxy like device, into the Web Datamodel. For additional filtering, allow list private IP space or restrict by known good.

Known False Positives

False positives may be present if the activity is blocked or was not successful. Filter known vulnerablity scanners. Filter as needed.

Associated Analytic Story

Risk Based Analytics (RBA)

Risk Message Risk Score Impact Confidence
An attempt to exploit CVE-2022-1388 against an F5 appliance $dest$ has occurred. 70 100 70
The Risk Score is calculated by the following formula: Risk Score = (Impact * Confidence/100). Initial Confidence and Impact is set by the analytic author.

References

Detection Testing

Test Type Status Dataset Source Sourcetype
Validation Passing N/A N/A N/A
Unit Passing Dataset pan:threat pan:threat
Integration ✅ Passing Dataset pan:threat pan:threat

Replay any dataset to Splunk Enterprise by using our replay.py tool or the UI. Alternatively you can replay a dataset into a Splunk Attack Range


Source: GitHub | Version: 2