CVE-2021-20178: Sensitive Information Disclosure in ansible
Summary
CVE-2021-20178: Insertion of Sensitive Information into Log File in ansible. Affects ansible versions < 2.9.18. Fixed in 2.9.18. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
- ansible · Debian:11
The same CVE-2021-20178 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 tasks such as configuration management, application deployment, and orchestration. It is widely used in IT infrastructure management and provides a simple and powerful way to automate complex tasks. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in the ansible module that can lead to the disclosure of sensitive information.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2021-20178, involves the insertion of sensitive information into a log file in ansible. By default, credentials are disclosed in the console log and are not protected by the security feature when using the bitbucket_pipeline_variable module. This flaw can be exploited by an attacker to steal bitbucket_pipeline credentials, potentially compromising the confidentiality of the system. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 5.5, indicating a moderate severity level.
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
2.9.18
This is the first release that contains the fix.
pip install --upgrade "ansible==2.9.18"Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
There is no specific workaround mentioned for this vulnerability. The recommended solution is to update ansible to the latest version.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the CVE-2021-20178 vulnerability in ansible exposes sensitive information in the console log, potentially leading to the theft of bitbucket_pipeline credentials. Users are advised to update their ansible installation to version 2.9.18 or later to mitigate this risk. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
Ansible is an open-source automation tool used for configuration management, application deployment, and orchestration.
This vulnerability allows an attacker to steal bitbucket_pipeline credentials, potentially compromising the confidentiality of the system.
The CVSS score of this vulnerability is 5.5, indicating a moderate severity level.
To fix this vulnerability, update ansible to version 2.9.18 or later.
There is no specific workaround mentioned for this vulnerability. Updating ansible to the latest version is the recommended solution.
References
Related vulnerabilities
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