CVE-2016-8647: Improper Input Validation in ansible
Summary
CVE-2016-8647: Improper Input Validation in ansible. Affects ansible versions < 2.2.1.0. Fixed in 2.2.1.0. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
- ansible · Debian:11
The same CVE-2016-8647 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 the IT industry for managing infrastructure and deploying applications. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in Ansible's mysql_user module before version 2.2.1.0. This vulnerability relates to improper input validation, which may result in the failure to correctly change a password in certain circumstances. As a result, the previous password remains active when it should have been changed.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in Ansible's mysql_user module arises from a lack of proper input validation. When attempting to change a password, the module fails to validate the input correctly, leading to the persistence of the previous password. This can have significant security implications as unauthorized individuals may still have access to the system using the old password. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 4.9, indicating a moderate severity level. The Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) ID associated with this vulnerability is CWE-20.
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
2.2.1.0
This is the first release that contains the fix.
pip install --upgrade "ansible==2.2.1.0"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. However, users can mitigate the risk by manually ensuring that the password change is successful and the previous password is no longer active.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the vulnerability in Ansible's mysql_user module allows the persistence of the previous password when attempting to change it. This can result in unauthorized access to the system. It is recommended to update Ansible to version 2.2.1.0 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. 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.
The mysql_user module in Ansible is used for managing MySQL user accounts and their privileges.
The vulnerability allows the persistence of the previous password when attempting to change it, potentially granting unauthorized access to the system.
The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 4.9, indicating a moderate severity level.
To fix this vulnerability, update Ansible to version 2.2.1.0 or later as it includes the necessary fixes.
References
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