# What is CVE-2020-5902? > CVE-2020-5902 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) in Big-IP Access Policy Manager from F5, published on 1 July 2020. It is on the list of flaws known to be exploited, so criminals are already using it. The latest forecast puts its chance of use in the next 30 days at over 99%. If you run an affected version, patch it first. Canonical page: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/what-is/cve-2020-5902 ## At a glance - **Verdict:** Fix this now. Attackers are using this flaw today. If you run an affected version, it goes to the top of your list. - **Precursor Intelligence risk score:** 90 out of 100 (Critical); action: Emergency patch. Kept up to date as the evidence changes. - **Severity:** Critical (CVSS 9.8 out of 10) - **Known to be exploited:** Yes, it is on the government list of flaws known to be exploited - **Chance of use in the next 30 days:** over 99% (latest exploit-likelihood forecast) - **Published:** 1 July 2020 - **Record last updated:** 27 October 2025 - **Main product:** Big-IP Access Policy Manager from F5 - **Affected products:** 14 ## What is CVE-2020-5902? In plain terms It can be attacked from anywhere on the internet without logging in, and nobody has to click anything. If it works, the attacker can read data, change data and take it offline. ### The official description In BIG-IP versions 15.0.0-15.1.0.3, 14.1.0-14.1.2.5, 13.1.0-13.1.3.3, 12.1.0-12.1.5.1, and 11.6.1-11.6.5.1, the Traffic Management User Interface (TMUI), also referred to as the Configuration utility, has a Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability in undisclosed pages. ### What kind of flaw is it? - CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') ### How an attack on it works - Where an attacker can be: Anywhere on the internet - How hard it is to pull off: Easy: no special conditions - Login needed first: No login needed - Does someone have to click: No, nobody has to do anything - What an attacker gets: Can read data, change data and take it offline Severity vector: `CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H` ## Is CVE-2020-5902 being exploited? Yes Attackers are already using it. It is on the government list of flaws known to be exploited, and the latest forecast puts the chance of it being used in the next 30 days at over 99%. Exploit likelihood over the last 7 days: >99%, >99%, >99%, >99%, >99%, >99%, >99%. ### Timeline - 1 July 2020: Published - 27 October 2025: Record last updated ### How Precursor Intelligence ranks it CVE-2020-5902 scores **90 out of 100 (Critical)**, with the action "Emergency patch". Every published flaw gets a risk score from 0 to 100, kept up to date as the evidence changes. Four things go into the score, from the one that counts most to the ones that count less: - Evidence it is being exploited: biggest factor - How severe it is: strong factor - How widely exposed it is: smaller factor - Threat activity around it: smaller factor 85 and above is Critical. Anything confirmed as exploited is always marked for an emergency patch, whatever its score. When this flaw matches software you track, it lands in your list with its score and the reasons behind it. ## Who is affected by CVE-2020-5902? The published record lists 14 products. Versions are as published: "11.6.1 to before 11.6.5.2" means from 11.6.1 up to, but not including, 11.6.5.2. - [Big-IP Access Policy Manager](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-ip_access_policy_manager) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 11.6.1 to before 11.6.5.2, 12.1.0 to before 12.1.5.2, 13.1.0 to before 13.1.3.4, 14.1.0 to before 14.1.2.6, 15.0.0 to 15.0.1.4, 15.1.0 to before 15.1.0.4 - [Big-IP Advanced Firewall Manager](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-ip_advanced_firewall_manager) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 11.6.1 to before 11.6.5.2, 12.1.0 to before 12.1.5.2, 13.1.0 to before 13.1.3.4, 14.1.0 to before 14.1.2.6, 15.0.0 to before 15.0.1.4, 15.1.0 to before 15.1.0.4 - [Big-IP Advanced Web Application Firewall](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-ip_advanced_web_application_firewall) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 11.6.1 to before 11.6.5.2, 12.1.0 to before 12.1.5.2, 13.1.0 to before 13.1.3.4, 14.1.0 to before 14.1.2.6, 15.0.0 to before 15.0.1.4, 15.1.0 to before 15.1.0.4 - [Big-IP Analytics](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-ip_analytics) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 11.6.1 to before 11.6.5.2, 12.1.0 to before 12.1.5.2, 13.1.0 to before 13.1.3.4, 14.1.0 to before 14.1.2.6, 15.0.0 to before 15.0.1.4, 15.1.0 to before 15.1.0.4 - [Big-IP Application Acceleration Manager](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-ip_application_acceleration_manager) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 11.6.1 to before 11.6.5.2, 12.1.0 to before 12.1.5.2, 13.1.0 to before 13.1.3.4, 14.1.0 to before 14.1.2.6, 15.0.0 to before 15.0.1.4, 15.1.0 to before 15.1.0.4 - [Big-IP Application Security Manager](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-ip_application_security_manager) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 11.6.1 to before 11.6.5.2, 12.1.0 to before 12.1.5.2, 13.1.0 to before 13.1.3.4, 14.1.0 to before 14.1.2.6, 15.0.0 to before 15.0.1.4, 15.1.0 to before 15.1.0.4 - [Big-IP DDOS Hybrid Defender](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-ip_ddos_hybrid_defender) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 11.6.1 to before 11.6.5.2, 12.1.0 to before 12.1.5.2, 13.1.0 to before 13.1.3.4, 14.1.0 to before 14.1.2.6, 15.0.0 to before 15.0.1.4, 15.1.0 to before 15.1.0.4 - [Big-IP Domain Name System](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-ip_domain_name_system) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 11.6.1 to before 11.6.5.2, 12.1.0 to before 12.1.5.2, 13.1.0 to before 13.1.3.4, 14.1.0 to before 14.1.2.6, 15.0.0 to before 15.0.1.4, 15.1.0 to before 15.1.0.4 - [Big-IP Fraud Protection Service](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-ip_fraud_protection_service) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 11.6.1 to before 11.6.5.2, 12.1.0 to before 12.1.5.2, 13.1.0 to before 13.1.3.4, 14.1.0 to before 14.1.2.6, 15.0.0 to before 15.0.1.4, 15.1.0 to before 15.1.0.4 - [Big-IP Global Traffic Manager](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-ip_global_traffic_manager) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 11.6.1 to before 11.6.5.2, 12.1.0 to before 12.1.5.2, 13.1.0 to before 13.1.3.4, 14.1.0 to before 14.1.2.6, 15.0.0 to before 15.0.1.4, 15.1.0 to before 15.1.0.4 - [Big-IP Link Controller](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-ip_link_controller) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 11.6.1 to before 11.6.5.2, 12.1.0 to before 12.1.5.2, 13.1.0 to before 13.1.3.4, 14.1.0 to before 14.1.2.6, 15.0.0 to before 15.0.1.4, 15.1.0 to before 15.1.0.4 - [Big-IP Local Traffic Manager](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-ip_local_traffic_manager) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 11.6.1 to before 11.6.5.2, 12.1.0 to before 12.1.5.2, 13.1.0 to before 13.1.3.4, 14.1.0 to before 14.1.2.6, 15.0.0 to before 15.0.1.4, 15.1.0 to before 15.1.0.4 - [Big-IP Policy Enforcement Manager](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-ip_policy_enforcement_manager) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 11.6.1 to before 11.6.5.2, 12.1.0 to before 12.1.5.2, 13.1.0 to before 13.1.3.4, 14.1.0 to before 14.1.2.6, 15.0.0 to before 15.0.1.4, 15.1.0 to before 15.1.0.4 - [SSL Orchestrator](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/ssl_orchestrator) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 11.6.1 to before 11.6.5.2, 12.1.0 to before 12.1.5.2, 13.1.0 to before 13.1.3.4, 14.1.0 to before 14.1.2.6, 15.0.0 to before 15.0.1.4, 15.1.0 to before 15.1.0.4 ## How do I fix CVE-2020-5902? 1. **Check whether you run it.** Compare your versions with the affected products above. Not sure what you run? Precursor Intelligence can work it out from your public website, or you can pick it from a list. 2. **Apply the vendor’s fix.** Install the update named in the vendor’s advisory. We’ve put the advisory first in the list. 3. **If you can’t patch today.** Follow any mitigation the vendor publishes, and limit who can reach the affected system from the internet until the update is in. 4. **Check it wasn’t used before you patched.** Because criminals are already using this flaw, look for signs of a break-in on affected systems using the vendor’s guidance. ### References - [support.f5.com](https://support.f5.com/csp/article/K52145254) (Vendor advisory) - [packetstormsecurity.com](http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/158333/BIG-IP-TMUI-Remote-Code-Execution.html) (Exploit, Third-party advisory, Vulnerability database) - [packetstormsecurity.com](http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/158334/BIG-IP-TMUI-Remote-Code-Execution.html) (Third-party advisory, Vulnerability database) - [packetstormsecurity.com](http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/158366/F5-BIG-IP-TMUI-Directory-Traversal-File-Upload-Code-Execution.html) (Exploit, Third-party advisory, Vulnerability database) - [packetstormsecurity.com](http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/158414/Checker-CVE-2020-5902.html) (Third-party advisory, Vulnerability database) - [packetstormsecurity.com](http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/158581/F5-Big-IP-13.1.3-Build-0.0.6-Local-File-Inclusion.html) (Exploit, Third-party advisory, Vulnerability database) - [packetstormsecurity.com](http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/175671/F5-BIG-IP-TMUI-Directory-Traversal-File-Upload-Code-Execution.html) (Exploit, Third-party advisory, Vulnerability database) - [badpackets.net](https://badpackets.net/over-3000-f5-big-ip-endpoints-vulnerable-to-cve-2020-5902/) (Exploit, Third-party advisory) - [github.com](https://github.com/Critical-Start/Team-Ares/tree/master/CVE-2020-5902) (Broken link, Exploit, Third-party advisory) - [swarm.ptsecurity.com](https://swarm.ptsecurity.com/rce-in-f5-big-ip/) (Exploit, Third-party advisory) - [criticalstart.com](https://www.criticalstart.com/f5-big-ip-remote-code-execution-exploit/) (Exploit, Third-party advisory) - [kb.cert.org](https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/290915) (Third-party advisory, Government resource) - [cisa.gov](https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-5902) (Government resource) ## Questions ### What is CVE-2020-5902? CVE-2020-5902 is a critical-severity flaw in Big-IP Access Policy Manager from F5, published on 1 July 2020. It can be attacked from anywhere on the internet without logging in, and nobody has to click anything. If it works, the attacker can read data, change data and take it offline. ### How serious is CVE-2020-5902? It scores 9.8 out of 10 on the CVSS severity scale, which is critical. Our risk score for CVE-2020-5902 is 90 out of 100, which is Critical. Its action is "Emergency patch". Attackers are using this flaw today. If you run an affected version, it goes to the top of your list. ### Is CVE-2020-5902 being exploited? Attackers are already using it. It is on the government list of flaws known to be exploited, and the latest forecast puts the chance of it being used in the next 30 days at over 99%. ### Which versions does CVE-2020-5902 affect? For Big-IP Access Policy Manager from F5: 11.6.1 to before 11.6.5.2, 12.1.0 to before 12.1.5.2, 13.1.0 to before 13.1.3.4, 14.1.0 to before 14.1.2.6, 15.0.0 to 15.0.1.4, 15.1.0 to before 15.1.0.4. The record lists 14 products in all, each with its versions, under "Who is affected" on this page. ### How do I fix CVE-2020-5902? Install the update the vendor names in its advisory, linked first under "How do I fix" on this page. If you can't patch today, follow the vendor's mitigation and limit who can reach the affected system from the internet. Because criminals are already using it, also check affected systems for signs of a break-in. ## Does CVE-2020-5902 affect you? Precursor Intelligence keeps checking for you: - **Tell us what you run.** Pick your software from a list, or let us work it out from your website. - **We match it to every flaw.** Over 400,000 published flaws, checked against your list. - **Ranked by real-world risk.** Every flaw gets a 0 to 100 risk score, kept up to date, led by evidence criminals are using it. - **Told as soon as we know.** An alert by email, in the app or by webhook to your own tools. Start free (no card, nothing to install): https://www.precursorintelligence.com/register Book a demo: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/contact