How severe is CVE-2021-23040?

CVE-2021-23040 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-23040 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (57th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-23040?

CVE-2021-23040 affects F5 Big-ip Advanced Firewall Manager. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-23040?

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-2021-23040 published?

CVE-2021-23040 was published on 2021-09-14 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-23040

CVE-2021-23040 is a high-severity vulnerability in F5 Big-ip Advanced Firewall Manager with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8. 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-89.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.8)
CVSS v2: 6.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (57th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-89
Affected product: F5 Big-ip Advanced Firewall Manager
Published: 2021-09-14
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

On BIG-IP AFM version 16.0.x before 16.0.1.2, 15.1.x before 15.1.3, 14.1.x before 14.1.4.2, 13.1.x before 13.1.4.1, and all versions of 12.1.x, a SQL injection vulnerability exists in an undisclosed page of the BIG-IP Configuration utility. This issue is exposed only when BIG-IP AFM is provisioned. Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-23040?: On BIG-IP AFM version 16.0.x before 16.0.1.2, 15.1.x before 15.1.3, 14.1.x before 14.1.4.2, 13.1.x before 13.1.4.1, and all versions of 12.1.x, a SQL injection vulnerability exists in an undisclosed page of the BIG-IP Configuration utility. This issue is exposed only when BIG-IP AFM is provisioned. Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated.
How severe is CVE-2021-23040?: CVE-2021-23040 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-23040 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (57th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-23040?: CVE-2021-23040 affects F5 Big-ip Advanced Firewall Manager. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-23040?: 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-2021-23040 published?: CVE-2021-23040 was published on 2021-09-14 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K94255403

Affected products (1)

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

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