Ansible 2.9.9 Security: 20 Vulnerabilities Found

by Alex Johnson 49 views

In the realm of IT automation, Ansible stands out as a powerful tool, streamlining complex tasks across diverse systems. However, like any software, Ansible is not immune to vulnerabilities. This article delves deep into a security analysis of ansible-2.9.9.tar.gz, revealing a concerning 20 vulnerabilities, with the highest severity pegged at a critical 9.8. Understanding these vulnerabilities is crucial for maintaining the integrity and security of your automated infrastructure.

Understanding the Vulnerabilities in Ansible 2.9.9

Our in-depth discussion focuses on the critical security issues identified in ansible-2.9.9.tar.gz, a widely-used version of the Ansible automation tool. We will thoroughly examine each vulnerability, focusing on its potential impact and the steps necessary for remediation. This detailed analysis aims to provide both a broad understanding of the security landscape surrounding Ansible and actionable insights for enhancing system security.

Critical Vulnerability: CVE-2020-14343 in PyYAML-5.3.1.tar.gz

The most severe vulnerability identified is CVE-2020-14343, affecting the PyYAML library, a dependency of Ansible. This critical flaw has a severity score of 9.8 and resides within PyYAML-5.3.1.tar.gz. PyYAML is a Python YAML parser and emitter, and this vulnerability allows for arbitrary code execution when processing untrusted YAML files.

Impact: The use of the full_load method or the FullLoader loader with untrusted YAML files can lead to attackers executing arbitrary code on the system. This is due to an incomplete fix for CVE-2020-1747 and exploits the python/object/new constructor.

Remediation: The suggested fix is to upgrade to PyYAML version 5.4 or later. This upgrade addresses the vulnerability and prevents potential code execution exploits.

High Severity Vulnerabilities in Ansible 2.9.9

Beyond the critical vulnerability, several high-severity issues plague ansible-2.9.9.tar.gz. These vulnerabilities, while not as critical as CVE-2020-14343, still pose a significant risk to system security and require careful attention.

1. CVE-2021-20228: Sensitive Information Exposure

CVE-2021-20228 highlights a flaw where sensitive information isn't masked by default and isn't protected by the no_log feature within the basic.py module's sub-option feature.

Impact: This vulnerability could lead to the exposure of sensitive data, as attackers can potentially access confidential information that should be protected.

Remediation: Unfortunately, there's no specified fix available for this vulnerability in the provided data. Users should monitor for updates and patches from Ansible and implement workarounds such as manually masking sensitive data where possible.

2. CVE-2022-3697: Password Leakage in Logs

CVE-2022-3697 exposes a vulnerability in the amazon.aws collection, specifically when using the tower_callback parameter from the amazon.aws.ec2_instance module.

Impact: The insecure handling of this parameter can result in password leakage in logs, potentially granting unauthorized access to sensitive resources.

Remediation: Similar to CVE-2021-20228, no direct fix is specified. Users should exercise caution when using the tower_callback parameter and ensure that logs are securely managed and monitored.

3. CVE-2020-1734: Arbitrary Command Execution via Pipe Lookup Plugin

CVE-2020-1734 reveals a critical flaw in the pipe lookup plugin of Ansible, where arbitrary commands can be executed. This occurs because the plugin uses subprocess.Popen() with shell=True, which can be exploited by overwriting Ansible facts without proper escaping.

Impact: Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to run arbitrary commands by manipulating Ansible facts, leading to potential system compromise.

Remediation: This issue is addressed in Ansible versions 2.7.17, 2.8.9, and 2.9.6. Upgrading to these versions or later is crucial to mitigate this risk.

4. CVE-2020-14365: GPG Signature Bypass in DNF Module

CVE-2020-14365 identifies a flaw in the Ansible Engine's DNF module, where GPG signatures are ignored during package installation, even when disable_gpg_check is set to False.

Impact: This can lead to the installation of malicious packages, allowing for arbitrary code execution and compromising system integrity.

Remediation: This vulnerability is resolved in versions 2.8.15 and 2.9.13 of Ansible Engine. Upgrading to these versions or later is highly recommended.

5. CVE-2021-3583: Template Injection Vulnerability

CVE-2021-3583 exposes a template injection vulnerability in Ansible, where user controllers are susceptible to command injection through facts used in templates.

Impact: Attackers can exploit this by injecting malicious code into templates, leading to sensitive information disclosure and potential system compromise.

Remediation: This issue is fixed in ansible-core version 2.11.2rc1. Upgrading to this version or a later one is essential to address the vulnerability.

Medium Severity Vulnerabilities in Ansible 2.9.9

The medium severity vulnerabilities in ansible-2.9.9.tar.gz present a moderate level of risk and should be addressed to maintain a robust security posture. These vulnerabilities can lead to various issues, including information disclosure and unauthorized access, highlighting the importance of comprehensive security measures.

1. CVE-2023-5115: Absolute Path Traversal Attack

CVE-2023-5115 describes an absolute path traversal attack vulnerability within the Ansible automation platform. An attacker can craft a malicious Ansible role that, when executed by a victim, uses a symlink to overwrite files outside the intended extraction path.

Impact: This vulnerability can lead to arbitrary file overwrites, potentially compromising system integrity and security.

Remediation: To mitigate this vulnerability, upgrade to ansible-core version 2.16.0 or later. This version includes a fix that prevents path traversal attacks.

2. CVE-2020-14332: Sensitive Data Exposure in Check Mode

CVE-2020-14332 reveals that tasks executed with check mode (--check-mode) do not properly neutralize sensitive data exposed in event data.

Impact: This flaw allows unauthorized users to read sensitive data, potentially leading to information disclosure.

Remediation: The suggested fix is to upgrade to versions 2.8.14 or 2.9.12, which include the necessary patches to neutralize sensitive data in check mode.

3. CVE-2021-20178 and CVE-2021-20180: Credential Disclosure in Console Logs

Both CVE-2021-20178 and CVE-2021-20180 highlight a similar issue where credentials are disclosed in console logs by default and are not protected by the security features of the bitbucket_pipeline_variable module.

Impact: This can lead to the theft of Bitbucket Pipeline credentials, compromising the security of associated resources.

Remediation: For CVE-2021-20178, upgrade to version 1.3.3. For CVE-2021-20180, upgrade to versions 2.8.19 or 2.9.18. These versions include fixes to ensure credentials are not exposed in console logs.

4. CVE-2021-20191: Credential Disclosure in Console Logs

Similar to the previous vulnerabilities, CVE-2021-20191 indicates that credentials, such as secrets, are disclosed in console logs by default and are not protected by the no_log feature.

Impact: An attacker can exploit this to steal credentials, leading to unauthorized access and potential data breaches.

Remediation: Upgrade to version 1.4.0 to address this issue and ensure that sensitive credentials are properly protected.

5. CVE-2021-3620: Sensitive Information Leak in Traceback Error Messages

CVE-2021-3620 identifies a flaw in the ansible-connection module where sensitive information, such as user credentials, is disclosed by default in traceback error messages.

Impact: This can lead to the exposure of sensitive credentials, allowing unauthorized access to systems and resources.

Remediation: To resolve this, upgrade to ansible-core versions 2.11.3 or 2.11.6, or Ansible versions 2.10.6 or ansible-base version 2.10.15. These versions include fixes to prevent sensitive information from being included in traceback error messages.

6. CVE-2024-11079: Bypass of Unsafe Content Protections

CVE-2024-11079 describes a vulnerability where attackers can bypass unsafe content protections by using the hostvars object to reference and execute templated content.

Impact: This can lead to arbitrary code execution if remote data or module outputs are improperly templated within playbooks.

Remediation: Upgrade to ansible-core version 2.18.1 to mitigate this vulnerability and ensure proper content protection.

7. CVE-2024-8775: Sensitive Information Exposure in Vault Files

CVE-2024-8775 highlights that sensitive information stored in Ansible Vault files can be exposed in plaintext during playbook execution if tasks like include_vars are used without setting no_log: true.

Impact: This results in sensitive data being printed in playbook outputs or logs, potentially leading to the unintentional disclosure of secrets like passwords or API keys.

Remediation: To address this vulnerability, upgrade to ansible-core version 2.17.6 and ensure that no_log: true is set when loading vaulted variables.

8. CVE-2020-10744: Incomplete Fix for Insecure Temporary Directory

CVE-2020-10744 identifies an incomplete fix for the flaw CVE-2020-1733, which involves an insecure temporary directory when running become_user from the become directive.

Impact: The provided fix is insufficient to prevent race conditions on systems using ACLs and FUSE filesystems.

Remediation: Upgrade to Ansible versions 2.8.13 or 2.9.10 to fully address this vulnerability.

9. CVE-2020-14330: Improper Output Neutralization for Logs

CVE-2020-14330 indicates an improper output neutralization flaw in the URI module, where sensitive data is exposed in content and JSON output.

Impact: This allows attackers to access logs or outputs of performed tasks to read keys used in playbooks, compromising data confidentiality.

Remediation: To mitigate this, upgrade to version 2.10.0, which includes the necessary fixes for this vulnerability.

10. CVE-2020-1753: Sensitive Parameters Passed via Command Line

CVE-2020-1753 describes a security flaw where sensitive parameters, such as passwords and tokens, are passed to kubectl from the command line when managing Kubernetes using the k8s module.

Impact: This discloses passwords and tokens from the process list, and the no_log directive from the debug module has no effect, making these secrets visible on standard output and log files.

Remediation: Upgrade to Ansible versions 2.8.13, 2.9.10, or 2.10.4 to address this issue.

11. CVE-2020-25635: Data Exposure in AWS SSM Connection Plugin

CVE-2020-25635 identifies a flaw in Ansible Base when using the aws_ssm connection plugin, where garbage collection does not occur after a playbook run is completed.

Impact: Files remain in the bucket, exposing data and directly affecting data confidentiality.

Remediation: While the provided information does not specify a fixed version, it is crucial to monitor for updates and patches from Ansible and implement workarounds, such as manually ensuring garbage collection after playbook runs.

Low Severity Vulnerabilities in Ansible 2.9.9

While low severity vulnerabilities may not pose an immediate threat, they should still be addressed as part of a comprehensive security strategy. These vulnerabilities, though less critical, can be exploited in conjunction with other weaknesses to create more significant security risks.

1. CVE-2020-1738: Module Package or Service Vulnerability

CVE-2020-1738 identifies a flaw in Ansible Engine where, if the parameter use is not specified when using the module package or service, a malicious user can select the module sent by exploiting the ansible_facts file.

Impact: This can lead to an attacker selecting a malicious module, potentially compromising the system.

Remediation: Upgrade to ansible-engine version 2.9.7 to address this vulnerability.

2. CVE-2020-1736: File Mode Specification Issue with Atomic Move

CVE-2020-1736 describes a flaw in Ansible Engine where the file mode cannot be specified when a file is moved using the atomic_move primitive.

Impact: This can set the destination files as world-readable if the destination file does not exist, or change the file to have less restrictive permissions before the move, potentially leading to sensitive data disclosure.

Remediation: To mitigate this, upgrade to Ansible versions 2.10.6 or 2.9.12, or ansible-core version 2.12.0. Additionally, upgrading to Ansible versions 2.8.9, 2.7.17, or 2.9.6 can also resolve this issue.

Remediation Strategies for Ansible 2.9.9 Vulnerabilities

Addressing the vulnerabilities in ansible-2.9.9.tar.gz requires a strategic approach. Here’s a breakdown of essential remediation steps:

  1. Prioritize Upgrades: Begin by upgrading to the Ansible versions that address the most critical vulnerabilities, particularly CVE-2020-14343 and other high-severity issues.
  2. Apply Patches: Ensure that all necessary patches are applied to the identified vulnerabilities. Regularly monitor security advisories and patch releases from Ansible.
  3. Implement Workarounds: For vulnerabilities without immediate fixes, implement temporary workarounds, such as manually masking sensitive data and securing log management.
  4. Enhance Security Practices: Adopt security best practices, including least privilege principles, secure coding standards, and regular security audits.
  5. Monitor and Review: Continuously monitor your systems for signs of exploitation and regularly review your security measures to adapt to new threats.

Conclusion: Fortifying Your Automation Infrastructure

The discovery of 20 vulnerabilities in ansible-2.9.9.tar.gz, with a critical severity rating of 9.8, underscores the importance of vigilance in IT automation security. By understanding these vulnerabilities and implementing the recommended remediation strategies, you can significantly strengthen your infrastructure's defenses.

Stay informed about the latest security updates and best practices to ensure your Ansible deployments remain secure and resilient. For further reading on cybersecurity best practices, visit OWASP, a trusted resource for web application security.