CVE-2022-1388 F5 BIG-IP Missing Authentication

Exploited in the wild Critical 9.8 Published 5 May 2022 Updated 21 Oct 2025

Attackers can bypass iControl REST authentication on F5 BIG-IP devices via undisclosed requests, requiring an upgrade to secure versions.

Exploited in the wild: Since 10 May 2022
Login needed: Not needed
Attackable: Over the internet
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: None listed

What is CVE-2022-1388?

CVE-2022-1388 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in F5 Big-Ip Access Policy Manager, published on 5 May 2022. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

Official description

On F5 BIG-IP 16.1.x versions prior to 16.1.2.2, 15.1.x versions prior to 15.1.5.1, 14.1.x versions prior to 14.1.4.6, 13.1.x versions prior to 13.1.5, and all 12.1.x and 11.6.x versions, undisclosed requests may bypass iControl REST authentication. Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated

Weakness: CWE-306

Which versions are affected by CVE-2022-1388?

It affects 11 products.

Products include F5 Big-Ip Access Policy Manager, F5 Big-Ip Advanced Firewall Manager, F5 Big-Ip Analytics, F5 Big-Ip Application Acceleration Manager, F5 Big-Ip Application Security Manager, F5 Big-Ip Domain Name System and 5 more.

How do I fix CVE-2022-1388?

No fix has been published for CVE-2022-1388 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 31 May 2022.

Upgrade, and rotate credentials and sessions that may have been exposed. More about Authentication bypass.

Is CVE-2022-1388 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2022-1388 in the wild since at least 10 May 2022, including in ransomware campaigns.

Public exploit code: 1 Metasploit module, 1 Exploit-DB entry, 1 Nuclei template and 64 proofs of concept on GitHub.

All F5 Big-Ip Access Policy Manager vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as GHSA-mrph-rvc3-cv97.