# CVE-2020-5902: F5 BIG-IP Traffic Management User Interface (TMUI) Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2020-5902-f5-big-ip-traffic-management-user-interface-tmui-remote-code  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2021-11-03. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2020-5902 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2021-11-03

The F5 BIG-IP Traffic Management User Interface (TMUI), also known as the Configuration utility, contains a remote code execution vulnerability due to improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory (path traversal). This allows unauthenticated attackers with network access to the TMUI to execute arbitrary system commands, create or delete files, and disable services.

Technologies: [F5 BIG-IP](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/big-ip). Vendors: [F5](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/f5).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2020-5902 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2020-5902 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 3 November 2021. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2020-5902?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 3 November 2021.

**Which products and versions are affected?** F5 BIG-IP 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, 11.6.1-11.6.5.1.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2020-5902?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2020-5902 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2020-5902?** Check whether you run F5 BIG-IP. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Affected products

- F5 BIG-IP 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, 11.6.1-11.6.5.1

## Timeline

- 2021-11-03: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
- 2021-11-03: disclosed

## Related threats

- [F5 BIG-IP privilege escalation in TMUI](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-66842-f5-big-ip-privilege-escalation-in-tmui)
- [F5 BIG-IP Configuration utility error message spoofing](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-63020-f5-big-ip-configuration-utility-error-message-spoofing)
- [F5 BIG-IP denial of service in HTTP/2 profile memory management](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-59762-f5-big-ip-denial-of-service-in-http-2-profile-memory-management)
- [F5 BIG-IP and BIG-IQ incorrect permission assignment in tmsh and iControl REST](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-42937-f5-big-ip-and-big-iq-incorrect-permission-assignment-in-tmsh-and)
- [F5 BIG-IP Appliance mode restriction bypass via path traversal](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-42930-f5-big-ip-appliance-mode-restriction-bypass-via-path-traversal)