CVE-2025-59483 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-73 (External Control of File Name or Path) found in the Configuration utility of F5 BIG-IP devices. The vulnerability arises from insufficient validation of file names or paths supplied by an authenticated user with high privileges, allowing manipulation of file paths. This can lead to unauthorized reading or modification of configuration files or other sensitive data stored on the device. The affected versions include 15.1.0, 16.1.0, 17.1.0, and 17.5.0, which are currently supported versions of BIG-IP. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requiring low attack complexity (AC:L), but it requires privileged authentication (PR:H) and no user interaction (UI:N). The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact is high on confidentiality and integrity (C:H/I:H) but none on availability (A:N). This vulnerability could allow an attacker with administrative access to manipulate file paths to access or alter sensitive files, potentially leading to data leakage or configuration tampering. No public exploits are known at this time, and the vendor has not yet published patches. The vulnerability does not affect versions that have reached End of Technical Support. Given the critical role of BIG-IP devices in managing network traffic, load balancing, and security policies, exploitation could have significant operational consequences.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-59483 is significant due to the widespread use of F5 BIG-IP devices in critical infrastructure sectors such as finance, telecommunications, healthcare, and government. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive configuration data, including credentials or network topology information, compromising confidentiality. Integrity could be impacted by unauthorized modification of configuration files, potentially allowing attackers to alter traffic routing, bypass security controls, or create persistent backdoors. Although availability is not directly affected, the indirect consequences of configuration tampering could disrupt services. Given the requirement for privileged authentication, the threat is primarily from insider threats or attackers who have already gained administrative access. However, once inside, the attacker’s ability to manipulate file paths increases the risk of lateral movement and deeper compromise. European organizations with stringent data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR) face additional compliance risks if sensitive data is exposed. The lack of known exploits provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the medium severity score underscores the need for timely response.

1. Apply official patches from F5 as soon as they become available to address the vulnerability directly. 2. Until patches are released, restrict administrative access to BIG-IP Configuration utilities using network segmentation, VPNs, and strict access control lists (ACLs). 3. Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all administrative accounts to reduce the risk of credential compromise. 4. Regularly audit and monitor administrative activities and file access logs on BIG-IP devices to detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 5. Implement role-based access control (RBAC) to limit the number of users with high privilege levels required to exploit this vulnerability. 6. Use network intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) tuned to detect suspicious file path manipulations or unauthorized configuration changes. 7. Conduct regular security training for administrators to recognize phishing and social engineering attempts that could lead to credential theft. 8. Maintain an up-to-date asset inventory to quickly identify and prioritize vulnerable BIG-IP devices for remediation. 9. Consider deploying compensating controls such as application-layer firewalls or endpoint protection on management workstations to reduce risk exposure. 10. Engage with F5 support and security advisories to stay informed about updates and recommended best practices.