On version 15.1.x before 15.1.3, 14.1.x before 14.1.3.1, and 13.1.x before 13.1.3.6, when the brute force protection feature of BIG-IP Advanced WAF or BIG-IP ASM is enabled on a virtual server and the virtual server is under brute force attack, the MySQL database may run out of disk space due to lack of row limit on undisclosed tables in the MYSQL database. Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated.
The product does not properly control the allocation and maintenance of a limited resource.
| Name | Vendor | Start Version | End Version |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big-ip_advanced_web_application_firewall | F5 | 13.1.0 (including) | 13.1.3.6 (excluding) |
| Big-ip_advanced_web_application_firewall | F5 | 14.1.0 (including) | 14.1.3.1 (excluding) |
| Big-ip_advanced_web_application_firewall | F5 | 15.1.0 (including) | 15.1.3 (excluding) |
| Big-ip_application_security_manager | F5 | 13.1.0 (including) | 13.1.3.6 (excluding) |
| Big-ip_application_security_manager | F5 | 14.1.0 (including) | 14.1.3.1 (excluding) |
| Big-ip_application_security_manager | F5 | 15.1.0 (including) | 15.1.3 (excluding) |
Mitigation of resource exhaustion attacks requires that the target system either:
The first of these solutions is an issue in itself though, since it may allow attackers to prevent the use of the system by a particular valid user. If the attacker impersonates the valid user, they may be able to prevent the user from accessing the server in question.
The second solution is simply difficult to effectively institute – and even when properly done, it does not provide a full solution. It simply makes the attack require more resources on the part of the attacker.