How severe is CVE-2021-23008?

CVE-2021-23008 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-23008 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (68th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-23008?

CVE-2021-23008 affects F5 Big-ip Access Policy Manager. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-23008?

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

When was CVE-2021-23008 published?

CVE-2021-23008 was published on 2021-05-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-23008

CVE-2021-23008 is a critical-severity vulnerability in F5 Big-ip Access Policy Manager with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. 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-287.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 7.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (68th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-287
Affected product: F5 Big-ip Access Policy Manager
Published: 2021-05-10
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

On version 15.1.x before 15.1.3, 14.1.x before 14.1.4, 13.1.x before 13.1.4, 12.1.x before 12.1.6, and all versions of 16.0.x and 11.6.x., BIG-IP APM AD (Active Directory) authentication can be bypassed via a spoofed AS-REP (Kerberos Authentication Service Response) response sent over a hijacked KDC (Kerberos Key Distribution Center) connection or from an AD server compromised by an attacker. Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-23008?: On version 15.1.x before 15.1.3, 14.1.x before 14.1.4, 13.1.x before 13.1.4, 12.1.x before 12.1.6, and all versions of 16.0.x and 11.6.x., BIG-IP APM AD (Active Directory) authentication can be bypassed via a spoofed AS-REP (Kerberos Authentication Service Response) response sent over a hijacked KDC (Kerberos Key Distribution Center) connection or from an AD server compromised by an attacker. Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated.
How severe is CVE-2021-23008?: CVE-2021-23008 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-23008 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (68th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-23008?: CVE-2021-23008 affects F5 Big-ip Access Policy Manager. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-23008?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2021-23008 published?: CVE-2021-23008 was published on 2021-05-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K51213246

Affected products (1)

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

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Other CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) vulnerabilities

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