# CVE-2022-1388: F5 BIG-IP Missing Authentication Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2022-1388-f5-big-ip-missing-authentication-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2022-05-10. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2022-1388 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2022-05-10

A missing authentication vulnerability in the F5 BIG-IP iControl REST interface allows unauthenticated attackers with network access to the BIG-IP system to execute arbitrary system commands, create or delete files, or disable services. This bypasses authentication via undisclosed requests.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2022-1388 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2022-1388 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 10 May 2022. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2022-1388?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 10 May 2022.

**Which products and versions are affected?** F5 BIG-IP 16.1.x prior to 16.1.2.2, 15.1.x prior to 15.1.5.1, 14.1.x prior to 14.1.4.6, 13.1.x prior to 13.1.5, 12.1.x, 11.6.x.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2022-1388?** A patch was published on 2022-05-10: F5 released security advisory K23605346 and updates. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2022-1388 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2022-1388?** 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 16.1.x prior to 16.1.2.2, 15.1.x prior to 15.1.5.1, 14.1.x prior to 14.1.4.6, 13.1.x prior to 13.1.5, 12.1.x, 11.6.x

## Timeline

- 2022-05-10: disclosed
- 2022-05-10: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
- 2022-05-10: patched: F5 released security advisory K23605346 and updates.

## 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)