CVE-2014-3498: Arbitrary Command Execution in Ansible
Summary
CVE-2014-3498: The user module in ansible before 1.6.6 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands. Affects ansible across 2 version ranges.
< 1.6.6
< 8ed6350e65c82292a631f08845dfaacffe7f07f5
Fixed in 8ed6350e65c82292a631f08845dfaacffe7f07f5. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
- ansible · Debian:11
The same CVE-2014-3498 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 for managing and provisioning infrastructure. However, versions of Ansible before 1.6.6 are vulnerable to arbitrary command execution by remote authenticated users.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability (CVE-2014-3498) in Ansible allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands. This means that an attacker who has valid credentials can exploit this vulnerability to execute commands on the target system, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data breaches, or further compromise of the infrastructure.
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
8ed6350e65c82292a631f08845dfaacffe7f07f5
This is the first release that contains the fix.
pip install --upgrade "ansible==8ed6350e65c82292a631f08845dfaacffe7f07f5"Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is essential to update to the fixed version of Ansible to address the issue effectively.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the vulnerability in Ansible (CVE-2014-3498) allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands. It is crucial to update to Ansible version 1.6.6 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for ansible →
FAQ
The vulnerability allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data breaches, or further compromise of the infrastructure.
Users of Ansible versions before 1.6.6 are affected by this vulnerability. It is recommended for all users to update to the fixed version.
While specific exploits for this vulnerability may exist, they have not been disclosed publicly. However, it is crucial to address the vulnerability promptly by updating to the fixed version of Ansible.
Yes, this vulnerability can be exploited remotely by authenticated users. An attacker with valid credentials can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands on the target system.
You can use Vulert's vulnerability monitoring service to check if your system is affected by this vulnerability. Vulert analyzes Pipfile.lock and provides real-time alerts for open-source vulnerabilities without requiring access to the code or installation. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for ansible.
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