Root command execution via tmsh save parsing
Published Feb 5, 2025 · Updated Feb 26, 2026
Command injection in F5 BIG-IP allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary system commands as root via iControl REST or tmsh. The tmsh save sys config partitions parser accepts a crafted quoted partition token that terminates the intended command and appends shell syntax. Valid credentials and access to iControl REST or a restricted tmsh session are required; successful exploitation bypasses low-privilege command restrictions.
Summary
What happened
Command injection in F5 BIG-IP allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary system commands as root via iControl REST or tmsh. The tmsh save sys config partitions parser accepts a crafted quoted partition token that terminates the intended command and appends shell syntax. Valid credentials and access to iControl REST or a restricted tmsh session are required; successful exploitation bypasses low-privilege command restrictions.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-20029
- Published
- Feb 5, 2025
- Updated
- Feb 26, 2026
- Vendor
- F5 Networks
- Product
- BIG-IP
- Classifications
- CWE-78, T1059.004
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Feb 5, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Feb 26, 2026Record 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.
- Affected versionversion=15.1.0 <15.1.10.6
- Affected versionversion=16.1.0 <16.1.5.2
- Affected versionversion=17.1.0 <17.1.2.1
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- CVE-2025-20029 tmsh save-command proof of conceptproof of concept · demonstrated
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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