How severe is CVE-2021-22997?

CVE-2021-22997 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.

Is CVE-2021-22997 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (62nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-22997?

CVE-2021-22997 affects F5 Big-iq Centralized Management. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-22997?

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-2021-22997 published?

CVE-2021-22997 was published on 2021-03-31 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-22997

CVE-2021-22997 is a high-severity vulnerability in F5 Big-iq Centralized Management with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. 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-306.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
CVSS v2: 5.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (62nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-306
Affected product: F5 Big-iq Centralized Management
Published: 2021-03-31
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

On all 7.x and 6.x versions (fixed in 8.0.0), BIG-IQ HA ElasticSearch service does not implement any form of authentication for the clustering transport services, and all data used by ElasticSearch for transport is unencrypted. Note: Software versions which have reached End of Software Development (EoSD) are not evaluated.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-22997?: On all 7.x and 6.x versions (fixed in 8.0.0), BIG-IQ HA ElasticSearch service does not implement any form of authentication for the clustering transport services, and all data used by ElasticSearch for transport is unencrypted. Note: Software versions which have reached End of Software Development (EoSD) are not evaluated.
How severe is CVE-2021-22997?: CVE-2021-22997 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.
Is CVE-2021-22997 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (62nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-22997?: CVE-2021-22997 affects F5 Big-iq Centralized Management. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-22997?: 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-2021-22997 published?: CVE-2021-22997 was published on 2021-03-31 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K34074377

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:f5:big-iq_centralized_management:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in F5 Big-iq Centralized Management

CVE-2021-22986 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): On BIG-IP versions 16.0.x before 16.0.1.1, 15.1.x before 15.1.2.1, 14.1.x before 14.1.4, 13.1.x before 13.1.3.6, and…
CVE-2020-5868 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): In BIG-IQ 6.0.0-7.0.0, a remote access vulnerability has been discovered that may allow a remote user to execute shell…
CVE-2016-5022 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): F5 BIG-IP LTM, Analytics, APM, ASM, and Link Controller 11.2.x before 11.2.1 HF16, 11.3.x, 11.4.x, 11.5.x before 11.5.4…
CVE-2019-6665 — Critical (CVSS 9.4): On BIG-IP ASM 15.0.0-15.0.1, 14.1.0-14.1.2, 14.0.0-14.0.1, and 13.1.0-13.1.3.1, BIG-IQ 6.0.0 and 5.2.0-5.4.0, iWorkflow…
CVE-2021-23005 — Critical (CVSS 9.1): On all 7.x and 6.x versions (fixed in 8.0.0), when using a Quorum device for BIG-IQ high availability (HA) for…
CVE-2020-5869 — Critical (CVSS 9.1): In BIG-IQ 5.2.0-7.0.0, high availability (HA) synchronization is not secure by TLS and may allow on-path attackers to…

All CVEs affecting F5 Big-iq Centralized Management →

Other CWE-306 (Missing Authentication for Critical Function) vulnerabilities

CVE-2026-20357 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): As part of Cisco's ongoing commitment to proactive security and product quality, the Cisco Crosswork engineering team…
CVE-2026-58115 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC IoT2050 Advanced (6ES7647-0BA00-1YA2) (All versions < V4.3.4.1 running…
CVE-2026-63508 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Missing authentication for critical function in Microsoft Planetary Computer Pro allows an unauthorized attacker to…
CVE-2026-56163 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Missing authentication for critical function in Microsoft Azure Kubernetes Service allows an unauthorized attacker to…
CVE-2026-64812 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): In JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA before 2026.2 unauthorized input injection was possible in a Remote Development session
CVE-2026-60644 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Vulnerability in the Oracle WebCenter Content product of Oracle Fusion Middleware (component: Web Content Management).…

Browse all CWE-306 (Missing Authentication for Critical Function) vulnerabilities →