CVE-2014-4678: Ansible safe_eval Arbitrary Code Execution
Summary
CVE-2014-4678: The safe_eval function in Ansible before 1.6.4 does not properly restrict the code subset, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted instructions. Affects ansible across 2 version ranges.
< 1.6.4
< 5429b85b9f6c2e640074176f36ff05fd5e4d1916
Fixed in 5429b85b9f6c2e640074176f36ff05fd5e4d1916. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
- ansible · Debian:11
The same CVE-2014-4678 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 agentless approach to automation. However, Ansible versions before 1.6.4 are vulnerable to an arbitrary code execution vulnerability due to an incomplete fix for CVE-2014-4657. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by exploiting the unsafe code subset allowed by the safe_eval function.
Vulnerability Detail
The safe_eval function in Ansible before 1.6.4 does not properly restrict the code subset, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted instructions. This vulnerability arises due to an incomplete fix for CVE-2014-4657. By exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker can execute arbitrary code on the target system, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data breaches, or system compromise.
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
5429b85b9f6c2e640074176f36ff05fd5e4d1916
This is the first release that contains the fix.
pip install --upgrade "ansible==5429b85b9f6c2e640074176f36ff05fd5e4d1916"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 upgrade to the fixed version of Ansible to address the issue.
Conclusion
The CVE-2014-4678 vulnerability in Ansible allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system. To mitigate this risk, it is crucial to upgrade to Ansible version 1.6.4 or later. This upgrade will ensure that the safe_eval function properly restricts the code subset, preventing unauthorized code execution. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for ansible →
FAQ
Ansible is an open-source automation tool used for configuration management, application deployment, and orchestration.
CVE-2014-4678 is a vulnerability in Ansible that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted instructions.
This vulnerability can lead to unauthorized code execution on the target system, potentially resulting in data breaches, system compromise, or unauthorized access.
To fix this vulnerability, it is recommended to upgrade to Ansible version 1.6.4 or later.
No, there is no known workaround for this vulnerability. Upgrading to the fixed version is the recommended solution.
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