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CVE-2016-5700

Critical Vulnerability: CVE-2016-5700 — f5 — big-ip_policy_enforcement_manager, big-ip_local_traffic_manager

Virtual servers in F5 BIG-IP systems 11.5.0, 11.5.1 before HF11, 11.5.2, 11.5.3, 11.5.4 before HF2, 11.6.0 before HF8, 11.6.1 before HF1, 12.0.0 before HF4, and 12.1.0 before HF2, when configured with the HTTP Explicit Proxy functionality or SOCKS profile, allow remote attackers to modify the system configuration, read system files, and possibly execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.

Thursday, May 14, 2026f5Vulnios Threat Intelligence
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Vulnerability Snapshot

CVE-2016-5700 is rated CRITICAL — exploitation is trivial or already observed in the wild and impact is severe. Patch immediately, not on the next maintenance window.

Affected technology: big-ip_policy_enforcement_manager, big-ip_local_traffic_manager, big-ip_websafe, big-ip_link_controller, big-ip_application_acceleration_manager, plus 3 other product variants.

Executive Summary

Virtual servers in F5 BIG-IP systems 11.5.0, 11.5.1 before HF11, 11.5.2, 11.5.3, 11.5.4 before HF2, 11.6.0 before HF8, 11.6.1 before HF1, 12.0.0 before HF4, and 12.1.0 before HF2, when configured with the HTTP Explicit Proxy functionality or SOCKS profile, allow remote attackers to modify the system configuration, read system files, and possibly execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.

Why It Matters

CVE-2016-5700 is rated CRITICAL severity, requiring immediate attention from security teams.

CVSS Base Score: 9.8/10

Affected Technologies

Vendors: f5

Products: big-ip_policy_enforcement_manager, big-ip_local_traffic_manager, big-ip_websafe, big-ip_link_controller, big-ip_application_acceleration_manager, big-ip_access_policy_manager, big-ip_advanced_firewall_manager, big-ip_application_security_manager

🛡️What Defenders Should Check

  • Check if you are affected — Review your asset inventory for products listed in CVE-2016-5700.
  • Apply available patches — Visit vendor advisories for the latest security updates.
  • Monitor for exploitation — Check your SIEM/IDS logs for related indicators.

    • Use Vulnios to continuously monitor your exposure to CVE-2016-5700 and similar vulnerabilities.

    References & Sources

  • http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/93325
  • http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1036928
  • https://support.f5.com/kb/en-us/solutions/public/k/35/sol35520031.html
  • http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/93325
  • http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1036928
  • https://support.f5.com/kb/en-us/solutions/public/k/35/sol35520031.html

    • How Vulnios Detects This

    Vulnios scans for this vulnerability using Nuclei templates that probe live HTTP surfaces for the published exploit pattern. Run a scan against your environment to see whether you are exposed; findings are linked back to the original CVE record so triage starts with the patch path already known.

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    Affected Products

    big-ip_policy_enforcement_managerbig-ip_local_traffic_managerbig-ip_websafebig-ip_link_controllerbig-ip_application_acceleration_managerbig-ip_access_policy_managerbig-ip_advanced_firewall_managerbig-ip_application_security_manager

    Sources

    Related Threat Alerts

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is CVE-2016-5700?

    CVE-2016-5700 is a critical-severity vulnerability tracked under the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures program. Virtual servers in F5 BIG-IP systems 11.5.0, 11.5.1 before HF11, 11.5.2, 11.5.3, 11.5.4 before HF2, 11.6.0 before HF8, 11.6.1 before HF1, 12.0.0 before HF4, and 12.1.0 before HF2, when configured with

    Am I affected?

    Check whether your environment runs big-ip_policy_enforcement_manager, big-ip_local_traffic_manager, big-ip_websafe, big-ip_link_controller, big-ip_application_acceleration_manager. If you operate any of those, treat yourself as in scope until you have evidence otherwise. A Vulnios scan will identify the exact assets carrying the affected version.

    How urgent is the response?

    Critical: do not wait for your normal patch cycle. Verify exposure today, apply the vendor patch immediately, and add detection rules for any post-exploit indicators.

    How do I remediate?

    Apply the vendor patch listed in the upstream advisory linked under Sources. If the patch is not yet available, follow the vendor-supplied workaround (often a config flag or feature disable) and add detections for the published exploit pattern in your SIEM. Re-scan after the patch lands to confirm the finding clears.

    Where can I track exploitation activity?

    Watch CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog for CVE-2016-5700. Cross-reference with public exploit databases and your own SIEM/IDS for indicator-of-compromise patterns. Vulnios tracks KEV status automatically and surfaces it on the asset findings view.

    How does Vulnios help with this?

    Vulnios continuously cross-references your asset inventory against the live CVE feed (NVD, vendor advisories, CISA KEV, and curated OSINT). When a new CVE matches your environment, you get a prioritized finding with the severity, KEV status, exploit-prediction (EPSS), and a direct path to the vendor patch. You can start a free scan from the homepage.

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