CVE-2021-3447: Ansible - Plain-text Logging of Credentials
Summary
CVE-2021-3447: A flaw was found in several ansible modules, where parameters containing credentials, such as secrets, were being logged in plain-text on managed nodes, as well as being made visible on the controller node when run in ve... Affects ansible versions < 1.2.2. Fixed in 1.2.2. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
- ansible · Debian:11
The same CVE-2021-3447 is tracked separately for each ecosystem and vendor. Its fix information is the same; the package and affected versions differ.
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Background
Ansible is an open-source automation tool that allows users to automate IT tasks such as configuration management, application deployment, and orchestration. It is widely used in the industry for its simplicity and flexibility. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in several Ansible modules that results in the logging of credentials in plain-text on managed nodes and the visibility of these credentials on the controller node when run in verbose mode. This flaw affects Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform versions before 1.2.2 and Ansible Tower versions before 3.8.2.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability (CVE-2021-3447) arises from the lack of protection for parameters containing credentials, such as secrets, in the logging mechanism of Ansible. These credentials are logged in plain-text on managed nodes and can be accessed by an attacker who gains access to the log files. This flaw poses a significant threat to data confidentiality. Attackers can exploit this information to steal the credentials and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive systems or data.
How To Fix
Latest published version: 14.5.0 as of 22 Oct 2026
pip install --upgrade "ansible==14.5.0"Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the version below is the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you need the minimum change
1.2.2
This is the first release that contains the fix.
pip install --upgrade "ansible==1.2.2"Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, users can disable verbose mode in Ansible to prevent the visibility of credentials on the controller node. This can be achieved by modifying the Ansible configuration file and setting the 'verbosity' parameter to a lower level. However, this workaround does not address the logging of credentials on managed nodes, and it is strongly recommended to apply the official fix by upgrading to the patched versions.
Conclusion
The vulnerability in Ansible that allows the logging of credentials in plain-text format poses a significant risk to data confidentiality. It is crucial for users to upgrade to the patched versions of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform (1.2.2 or later) and Ansible Tower (3.8.2 or later) to address this issue. Disabling verbose mode can provide a temporary workaround, but it is not sufficient to fully mitigate the vulnerability. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
The vulnerability allows attackers with access to log files to obtain credentials in plain-text format, potentially leading to unauthorized access to systems or data.
Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform versions before 1.2.2 and Ansible Tower versions before 3.8.2 are affected.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability. It analyzes your Pipfile.lock file and provides real-time alerts for open-source vulnerabilities.
At the time of this report, there are no known public exploits for this vulnerability. However, it is crucial to apply the fix promptly to mitigate the risk.
As a temporary measure, you can disable verbose mode in Ansible to prevent the visibility of credentials on the controller node. However, this does not address the logging of credentials on managed nodes, so upgrading to the patched versions is strongly recommended.
References
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