# CVE-2026-20916: F5 BIG-IQ path traversal in iControl REST

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-20916-f5-big-iq-path-traversal-in-icontrol-rest  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-05-13. Updated: 2026-06-29  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-20916 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.1 · Published 2026-05-13

F5 BIG-IQ is a centralized management platform used to administer and orchestrate F5 network devices. A security flaw allows a user with low-level access to create or change files across the system. This could lead to service disruptions or unauthorized system modifications, potentially impacting the stability and integrity of the network management infrastructure.

Technologies: [F5 BIG-IQ](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/big-iq), [F5 Big-Iq Centralized Management](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/big-iq-centralized-management). Vendors: [F5](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/f5).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-20916 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-20916 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-20916?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.1, published 13 May 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** F5 BIG-IQ All versions prior to EoTS (End of Technical Support); F5 Big-Iq Centralized Management 8.4.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-20916?** 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-2026-20916 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-20916?** Check whether you run F5 BIG-IQ or F5 Big-Iq Centralized Management at an affected version. 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.

## Technical details

A path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22) exists in an undisclosed iControl REST endpoint within F5 BIG-IQ Centralized Management. An authenticated attacker with low-level privileges can exploit this flaw via the network to create or modify arbitrary files on the filesystem. While the vulnerability does not directly allow data exfiltration (Confidentiality: None), it poses a high risk to system integrity and availability. The issue affects version 8.4.0 and is addressed in version 8.4.1.

## Affected products

- F5 BIG-IQ Centralized Management 8.4.0

## Timeline

- 2026-05-13: advisory: Initial advisory published by F5 and NVD

## References

- [https://my.f5.com/manage/s/article/K000158029](https://my.f5.com/manage/s/article/K000158029)

## Related threats

- [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 and BIG-IQ privilege escalation in configuration objects](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-42406-f5-big-ip-and-big-iq-privilege-escalation-in-configuration)
- [F5 BIG-IP and BIG-IQ incorrect permission assignment in tmsh and iControl REST](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-41959-f5-big-ip-and-big-iq-incorrect-permission-assignment-in-tmsh-and)
- [F5 BIG-IP and BIG-IQ RCE in Configuration utility](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-41957-f5-big-ip-and-big-iq-rce-in-configuration-utility)
- [F5 BIG-IP and BIG-IQ privilege escalation in SNMP configuration](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-40698-f5-big-ip-and-big-iq-privilege-escalation-in-snmp-configuration)