# CVE-2026-41953: F5 BIG-IP privilege escalation via configuration object modification

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-41953-f5-big-ip-privilege-escalation-via-configuration-object  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-05-13. Updated: 2026-06-24  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-41953 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.7 · Published 2026-05-13

A vulnerability in F5 BIG-IP networking appliances allows a highly privileged user to escalate their permissions further by modifying configuration objects. BIG-IP systems are widely used for managing enterprise network traffic, security, and application delivery. An exploit could allow an administrator to gain unauthorized control over the system, potentially leading to full compromise of the device and the traffic it manages.

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). Vendors: [F5](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/f5).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-41953 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-41953 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-41953?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.7, published 13 May 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** F5 BIG-IP All versions prior to End of Technical Support (EoTS); 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 1 more.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-41953?** 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-2026-41953 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-41953?** 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

A command injection vulnerability (CWE-77) exists in F5 BIG-IP systems within the configuration management interface. An authenticated attacker possessing at least the Resource Administrator role can exploit this flaw by modifying specific configuration objects. This leads to privilege escalation, potentially allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary commands or gain full administrative control over the appliance. The vulnerability 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 K000160975 to address the issue.

## 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/K000160975](https://my.f5.com/manage/s/article/K000160975)

## 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)