How severe is CVE-2017-6144?

CVE-2017-6144 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.4, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability none.

Is CVE-2017-6144 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (44th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2017-6144?

CVE-2017-6144 primarily affects F5 Big-ip Policy Enforcement Manager. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2017-6144?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2017-6144 published?

CVE-2017-6144 was published on 2017-10-20 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2017-6144

CVE-2017-6144 is a high-severity vulnerability in F5 Big-ip Policy Enforcement Manager with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.4. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-295.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.4)
CVSS v2: 5.8
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (44th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-295
Affected product: F5 Big-ip Policy Enforcement Manager
Published: 2017-10-20
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

In F5 BIG-IP PEM 12.1.0 through 12.1.2 when downloading the Type Allocation Code (TAC) database file via HTTPS, the server's certificate is not verified. Attackers in a privileged network position may be able to launch a man-in-the-middle attack against these connections. TAC databases are used in BIG-IP PEM for Device Type and OS (DTOS) and Tethering detection. Customers not using BIG-IP PEM, not configuring downloads of TAC database files, or not using HTTP for that download are not affected.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2017-6144?: In F5 BIG-IP PEM 12.1.0 through 12.1.2 when downloading the Type Allocation Code (TAC) database file via HTTPS, the server's certificate is not verified. Attackers in a privileged network position may be able to launch a man-in-the-middle attack against these connections. TAC databases are used in BIG-IP PEM for Device Type and OS (DTOS) and Tethering detection. Customers not using BIG-IP PEM, not configuring downloads of TAC database files, or not using HTTP for that download are not affected.
How severe is CVE-2017-6144?: CVE-2017-6144 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.4, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability none.
Is CVE-2017-6144 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (44th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2017-6144?: CVE-2017-6144 primarily affects F5 Big-ip Policy Enforcement Manager. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2017-6144?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2017-6144 published?: CVE-2017-6144 was published on 2017-10-20 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K81601350

Affected products (3)

cpe:2.3:a:f5:big-ip_policy_enforcement_manager:12.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:f5:big-ip_policy_enforcement_manager:12.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:f5:big-ip_policy_enforcement_manager:12.1.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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