Bug ID 2216929: BIG-IP allows creation of purely numeric usernames, causing SFTP authentication failures

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2026

Affected Product(s):
BIG-IP TMOS(all modules)

Known Affected Versions:
17.1.3, 17.1.3.1

Opened: Jan 26, 2026

Severity: 3-Major

Symptoms

User creation succeeds in BIG-IP TMUI and tmsh when the username is composed of digits only (e.g., 222, 7654). SFTP login attempts fail for these numeric only accounts when connecting via management IP or self IP. Mixed alphanumeric usernames (e.g., b222, 583491b) work correctly for SFTP.

Impact

Authentication Failures: Numeric-only usernames created via TMUI/tmsh cannot be used for SFTP access to BIG-IP management or self IPs. This leads to failed logins. Operational Confusion: Administrators may assume these accounts are valid since creation succeeds, but later encounter unexplained failures when attempting remote access.

Conditions

For numeric-only usernames (e.g., 222, 583491) account creation succeeds, but SFTP login fails. For alphanumeric usernames (e.g., b222, 583491b) account creation succeeds, and SFTP login works.

Workaround

Avoid numeric?only usernames: Administrators should not create accounts consisting solely of digits (e.g., 222,583491). Use alphanumeric usernames: Ensure that all usernames contain at least one non?numeric character (e.g., b222, user123). These accounts work correctly with SFTP.

Fix Information

None

Behavior Change

Guides & references

K10134038: F5 Bug Tracker Filter Names and Tips