CVE-2020-5869Network attack vector

Data interception and modification via unencrypted HA synchronization

Published Apr 24, 2020 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Improperly protected HA synchronization in F5 BIG-IQ 5.2.0 through 7.0.0 allows man-in-the-middle attackers to read or modify data. The HA peer synchronization channel transmits replicated configuration state without TLS, leaving its confidentiality and integrity unprotected. Exploitation requires a network-path position between an active and standby pair; an interceptor can inspect or alter synchronized confidential data without interrupting service.

CVSS severity9.1
Critical
EPSS probability0.48%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improperly protected HA synchronization in F5 BIG-IQ 5.2.0 through 7.0.0 allows man-in-the-middle attackers to read or modify data. The HA peer synchronization channel transmits replicated configuration state without TLS, leaving its confidentiality and integrity unprotected. Exploitation requires a network-path position between an active and standby pair; an interceptor can inspect or alter synchronized confidential data without interrupting service.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-5869
Published
Apr 24, 2020
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
F5 Networks
Product
BIG-IQ Centralized Management
Classifications
CWE-924, T1557
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 24, 2020CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=5.2.0-7.0.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

F5 Networks · BIG-IQ Centralized Managementversion=5.2.0-7.0.0

Published CVSS scores

9.1NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
6.4NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:N

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-924Improper Enforcement of Message Integrity During Transmission in a Communication Channel
T1557Adversary-in-the-Middle

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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