CVE-2019-3828: Path Traversal Vulnerability in Ansible

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 for managing and provisioning infrastructure. The Ansible fetch module is responsible for copying files from remote hosts to the local Ansible controller host. However, versions prior to 2.5.15, 2.6.14, and 2.7.8 have a path traversal vulnerability that allows an attacker to copy and overwrite files outside of the specified destination on the local Ansible controller host. This vulnerability can be exploited by not restricting an absolute path.

Vulnerability Detail

The path traversal vulnerability in the Ansible fetch module allows an attacker to access and modify files outside of the intended destination. By manipulating the file path, an attacker can overwrite critical system files or gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. This can lead to a variety of security issues, including remote code execution, privilege escalation, and data leakage. It is important to note that this vulnerability only affects Ansible versions prior to 2.5.15, 2.6.14, and 2.7.8.

pip install --upgrade "ansible==14.5.0"

Workaround

As a temporary workaround, users can implement input validation and sanitization to ensure that file paths are restricted to the intended destination. This can be achieved by validating user input and enforcing strict file path restrictions. Here is an example of how to sanitize file paths in Python:

import os

def sanitize_file_path(file_path):
    base_path = '/path/to/destination'
    sanitized_path = os.path.abspath(os.path.join(base_path, file_path))
    if not sanitized_path.startswith(base_path):
        raise ValueError('Invalid file path')
    return sanitized_path

Conclusion

The path traversal vulnerability in Ansible's fetch module can have serious security implications, allowing attackers to access and modify files outside of the intended destination. It is crucial to upgrade to the latest version of Ansible (2.5.15, 2.6.14, or 2.7.8) to mitigate this vulnerability. Implementing input validation and sanitization can serve as a temporary workaround until the upgrade is performed. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.

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