CVE-2014-2686: Ansible prior to 1.5.4 - Evaluation of Strings Mishandling

ansible Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

09/01/2020
Yes i
High
7.5

CVE-2014-2686: Ansible prior to 1.5.4 mishandles the evaluation of some strings. Affects ansible versions < 1.5.4. Fixed in 1.5.4. How to fix ↓

Also tracked for

The same CVE-2014-2686 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 due to its simplicity and flexibility. However, prior to version 1.5.4, Ansible mishandles the evaluation of certain strings, leading to potential security vulnerabilities.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability in Ansible prior to version 1.5.4 arises from the improper handling of string evaluation. This flaw could be exploited by an attacker to execute arbitrary code or perform unauthorized actions on the target system. The vulnerability is introduced in version 0 of Ansible and is fixed in version 1.5.4.

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

1.5.4

This is the first release that contains the fix.

pip install --upgrade "ansible==1.5.4"

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 best course of action is to upgrade to the fixed version as soon as possible.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the vulnerability in Ansible prior to version 1.5.4 can lead to potential security risks. It is crucial to upgrade to the fixed version to mitigate these risks. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.

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FAQ

Ansible is an open-source automation tool used for IT tasks such as configuration management and application deployment.

This vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code or perform unauthorized actions on the target system.

Versions prior to 1.5.4 are affected by this vulnerability.

To fix this vulnerability, upgrade Ansible to version 1.5.4 or later.

There is no specific workaround mentioned for this vulnerability. Upgrading to the fixed version is the recommended solution.

Related vulnerabilities

Recent vulnerabilities recorded for ansible.

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

1.5.4

This is the first release that contains the fix.

pip install --upgrade "ansible==1.5.4"

Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →

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