# CVE-2026-40462: F5 BIG-IP incorrect permission assignment in iControl REST and tmsh

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-40462-f5-big-ip-incorrect-permission-assignment-in-icontrol-rest-and  
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-2026-40462 · Severity: medium · CVSS 6.5 · Published 2026-05-13

A security vulnerability has been identified in F5 BIG-IP networking devices, which are used to manage and secure corporate web traffic. An authenticated user with low-level access could exploit a flaw in certain management commands to view sensitive system information they are not authorized to see. This could lead to the exposure of configuration details or other internal data, potentially aiding further attacks on the network infrastructure.

Technologies: [F5 BIG-IP](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/big-ip), [F5 BIG-IP Advanced WAF](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/big-ip-advanced-waf), [F5 Big-Ip Access Policy Manager](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/big-ip-access-policy-manager), [F5 Big-Ip Advanced Firewall Manager](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/big-ip-advanced-firewall-manager), [F5 Big-Ip Local Traffic Manager](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/big-ip-local-traffic-manager), [F5 iControl REST](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/icontrol-rest). Vendors: [F5](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/f5).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-40462 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-40462 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-40462?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 6.5, published 13 May 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** F5 BIG-IP All non-EoTS versions; F5 BIG-IP Advanced WAF 16.1.0 - 16.1.6, 17.5.0 - 17.5.1, 21.0.0; F5 Big-Ip Access Policy Manager 16.1.0 - 16.1.6, 17.5.0 - 17.5.1, 21.0.0; F5 Big-Ip Advanced Firewall Manager 16.1.0 - 16.1.6, 17.5.0 - 17.5.1, 21.0.0; and 3 more.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-40462?** 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-2026-40462 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-40462?** Check whether you run F5 BIG-IP, F5 BIG-IP Advanced WAF, F5 Big-Ip Access Policy Manager or one of the others listed 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

This vulnerability (CWE-732) stems from incorrect permission assignments within the iControl REST interface and the TMOS shell (tmsh) for an undisclosed command. An attacker must be authenticated to the system, but only requires low-level privileges to execute the affected command. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to bypass intended access controls and read sensitive system information. The issue affects multiple BIG-IP modules including APM, AFM, and Local Traffic Manager across versions 16.1.x, 17.5.x, and 21.0.0. F5 has released advisory K000156581 to address the issue; users should consult the vendor for specific patch versions.

## Affected products

- F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager 16.1.0 - 16.1.6, 17.5.0 - 17.5.1, 21.0.0
- F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager 16.1.0 - 16.1.6, 17.5.0 - 17.5.1, 21.0.0
- F5 BIG-IP Advanced WAF 16.1.0 - 16.1.6, 17.5.0 - 17.5.1, 21.0.0
- F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager 16.1.0 - 16.1.6, 17.5.0 - 17.5.1, 21.0.0

## Timeline

- 2026-05-13: advisory: Initial publication of the vulnerability advisory.

## References

- [https://my.f5.com/manage/s/article/K000156581](https://my.f5.com/manage/s/article/K000156581)

## 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)