CVE-2025-36546: f5os-a Auth Bypass — Fix

Description

On an F5OS system, if the root user had previously configured the system to allow login via SSH key-based authentication, and then enabled Appliance Mode; access via SSH key-based authentication is still allowed. For an attacker to exploit this vulnerability they must obtain the root user's SSH private key. Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated.

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CVSS v3.1 Score

8.1

HIGH

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Weakness Type (CWE)

CWE-863 Incorrect Authorization

Affected Products

Vendor	Product	Versions
f5	f5os-a	1.5.1 — 1.5.3
f5	f5os-c	1.6.0 — 1.6.2

References

Advisories & Patches

https://my.f5.com/manage/s/article/K000140574

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2025-36546? +

On an F5OS system, if the root user had previously configured the system to allow login via SSH key-based authentication, and then enabled Appliance Mode; access via SSH key-based authentication is still allowed. For an attacker to exploit this vulnerability they must obtain the root user's SSH private key. Note: Software versions which have reached End of Technical Support (EoTS) are not evaluated. It has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.1 (HIGH).

How severe is CVE-2025-36546? +

CVE-2025-36546 has a CVSS v3.1 score of 8.1 out of 10, rated HIGH. This is a high-severity vulnerability that should be prioritized for patching.

What products are affected by CVE-2025-36546? +

CVE-2025-36546 affects products from f5, specifically: f5os-a, f5os-c. Check the affected products table above for specific version ranges.

How do I check if I'm vulnerable to CVE-2025-36546? +

You can use Secably's free Website Scanner to check your website for known vulnerabilities. For infrastructure scanning, use the Port Scanner to identify exposed services that may be affected. Check the vendor advisories linked above for specific patch and version information.

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CVE-2025-36546