CVE-2022-41780 is a directory traversal vulnerability identified in F5OS-A versions 1.x prior to 1.1.0 and F5OS-C versions 1.x prior to 1.4.0. The vulnerability arises from improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory (CWE-22) within an undisclosed component of the F5OS Command Line Interface (CLI). This flaw allows an attacker with limited privileges (local access with low privileges) to craft malicious pathnames that traverse directories beyond the intended restricted scope, enabling unauthorized reading of arbitrary files on the affected system. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and does not allow modification or deletion of files, but it compromises confidentiality by exposing sensitive information stored on the device. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), reflecting the local attack vector, low complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, and high impact on confidentiality. No known exploits have been reported in the wild to date. The affected products, F5OS-A and F5OS-C, are operating systems used in F5 Networks' hardware appliances, which are widely deployed in enterprise environments for application delivery, security, and network traffic management. The vulnerability could be leveraged by an attacker who has gained limited access to the device, such as through compromised credentials or insider threat, to further escalate information gathering and reconnaissance activities by reading sensitive configuration files, credentials, or logs that should be protected. This exposure could facilitate subsequent attacks or data breaches if exploited in a targeted manner.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-41780 is primarily on the confidentiality of sensitive information managed by F5 network appliances running vulnerable F5OS versions. These devices often serve as critical infrastructure components in data centers, cloud environments, and enterprise networks, handling application delivery and security functions. Unauthorized file access could expose configuration details, cryptographic keys, user credentials, or other sensitive operational data, potentially enabling attackers to pivot within the network or bypass security controls. Given the widespread use of F5 products in Europe across sectors such as finance, telecommunications, government, and healthcare, exploitation could lead to significant data breaches, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations), and operational disruptions. Although the vulnerability requires local access with some privileges, the risk is heightened in environments where internal threat actors or attackers have already gained footholds. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the medium severity rating and potential for information disclosure warrant proactive mitigation to protect European organizations' critical infrastructure and sensitive data.

To mitigate CVE-2022-41780, European organizations should: 1) Immediately verify the F5OS version running on their F5 appliances and upgrade to F5OS-A version 1.1.0 or later, or F5OS-C version 1.4.0 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. 2) Restrict and monitor access to the F5OS CLI, enforcing strict role-based access controls (RBAC) to limit users to the minimum necessary privileges, reducing the likelihood of exploitation by low-privileged users. 3) Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit local access to management interfaces of F5 devices, ensuring only trusted administrators can connect. 4) Conduct regular audits and monitoring of F5 appliance logs and access records to detect any anomalous or unauthorized file access attempts. 5) Employ multi-factor authentication (MFA) for administrative access to reduce the risk of credential compromise. 6) Review and harden device configurations to minimize exposure of sensitive files and ensure secure default permissions. 7) Stay informed on vendor advisories and apply security patches promptly, as F5 may release additional updates or mitigations. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on access control hardening, monitoring, and patch management specific to the affected F5OS versions and environments.