CVE-2014-4657 in Ansible
Summary
by MITRE
The safe_eval function in Ansible before 1.5.4 does not properly restrict the code subset, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted instructions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/10/2024
The CVE-2014-4657 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Ansible's safe_eval function that existed in versions prior to 1.5.4. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure deserialization and code execution, specifically targeting the privilege escalation and remote code execution capabilities within automation frameworks. The flaw stems from insufficient validation of code subsets during evaluation processes, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass intended security restrictions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies within Ansible's internal code evaluation mechanisms that were designed to safely process user-provided data. However, the safe_eval function failed to properly sanitize or restrict the types of code constructs that could be executed, allowing attackers to craft malicious instructions that would be processed without adequate safeguards. This weakness enabled attackers to inject arbitrary Python code that would execute within the context of the Ansible process, potentially with elevated privileges depending on how Ansible was deployed and configured.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on Ansible for infrastructure automation and configuration management. Attackers could leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary commands on target systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or further lateral movement within networks. The impact extends beyond immediate code execution to include potential privilege escalation scenarios, especially when Ansible is run with elevated permissions or against systems with sensitive configurations.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation, and represents a classic example of how insecure deserialization can lead to remote code execution. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving command and script injection, privilege escalation, and execution through valid accounts. Organizations using Ansible for automation are particularly vulnerable if they process untrusted input or if the automation framework is exposed to external attack surfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4657 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to Ansible 1.5.4 or later, which contained the necessary patches to properly restrict code evaluation subsets. Additionally, organizations should implement strict input validation procedures, avoid processing untrusted data through automation frameworks, and consider network segmentation to limit exposure of automation systems. Regular security assessments of automation tooling and adherence to security best practices for configuration management are essential for preventing exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.