CVE-2014-2686 in Ansible
Summary
by MITRE
Ansible prior to 1.5.4 mishandles the evaluation of some strings.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2686 affects Ansible versions prior to 1.5.4 and represents a critical flaw in the handling of string evaluation within the automation platform. This issue stems from improper parsing and interpretation of certain string inputs that can lead to unexpected behavior during playbook execution. The vulnerability specifically impacts how Ansible processes variable interpolation and string manipulation operations, creating potential security risks for organizations relying on automated infrastructure management.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in Ansible's string evaluation engine which fails to properly sanitize or validate certain string patterns during variable substitution. When Ansible encounters specific string formats or sequences in playbooks, the system may incorrectly interpret these inputs leading to arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation possibilities. This flaw operates at the core of Ansible's configuration management capabilities and affects the fundamental string processing mechanisms used throughout the automation workflow.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2686 extends beyond simple functional failures to encompass serious security implications for enterprise environments. Organizations utilizing vulnerable Ansible versions face potential exposure to unauthorized code execution through crafted string inputs in playbooks, which could be exploited by malicious actors to gain elevated privileges or compromise automated infrastructure. The vulnerability particularly affects scenarios where Ansible is used with untrusted input sources or when administrators create playbooks that process external data without proper validation. This represents a significant concern for security automation frameworks where configuration management tools like Ansible serve as critical infrastructure components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-2686 primarily focus on upgrading to Ansible version 1.5.4 or later, which includes patched string evaluation routines and improved input sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should also implement strict playbook validation procedures and avoid using untrusted data in variable interpolation contexts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of existing playbooks to identify potential vulnerable string handling patterns and establish secure coding practices for Ansible automation. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20 Improper Input Validation and maps to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and code injection through configuration management tools. The fix implemented in Ansible 1.5.4 addresses the core string evaluation logic and introduces additional safeguards against malformed input sequences that could previously trigger the vulnerability.