CVE-2014-4659 in Ansible
Summary
by MITRE
Ansible before 1.5.5 sets 0644 permissions for sources.list, which might allow local users to obtain sensitive credential information in opportunistic circumstances by reading a file that uses the "deb http://user:pass@server:port/" format.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4659 affects Ansible versions prior to 1.5.5 and represents a significant security flaw in how the configuration management tool handles file permissions during the management of Debian package repositories. This issue stems from Ansible's default behavior of creating sources.list files with overly permissive 0644 permissions, which allows local users to read these files and potentially extract sensitive authentication credentials embedded within the repository URLs.
The technical flaw manifests when Ansible manages package repositories using the deb protocol format that includes embedded credentials in the URL structure such as "deb http://user:pass@server:port/". The 0644 permissions assigned to these configuration files create an opportunity for privilege escalation and credential theft, as the file is readable by all local users on the system. This vulnerability specifically impacts systems where Ansible is used to manage Debian-based distributions and where repository URLs contain authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users share the same system or where administrative privileges are not properly segregated.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it creates potential attack vectors for local privilege escalation and lateral movement within compromised systems. An attacker with local access can exploit this weakness to extract authentication tokens, passwords, or other sensitive information that may be used to gain further access to network resources or escalate privileges to administrative levels. The opportunistic nature of this vulnerability means that any user with local shell access can potentially read these files and extract the embedded credentials, making it particularly dangerous in shared hosting environments or multi-tenant systems.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-732: Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource and maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1003: OS Credential Dumping and T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation. The flaw demonstrates poor security hygiene in file permission management and represents a failure to properly secure sensitive configuration data. Organizations using Ansible for system management should consider this vulnerability as part of their overall security posture assessment, particularly in environments where security controls are not properly enforced at the filesystem level.
The recommended mitigations for CVE-2014-4659 include upgrading to Ansible version 1.5.5 or later, where the default file permissions have been corrected to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive repository configuration files. Additionally, system administrators should implement proper file permission controls and consider using alternative methods for credential management such as environment variables or secure configuration management systems. Regular security audits should include verification of file permissions on repository configuration files, and organizations should establish policies for proper handling of sensitive information in configuration management tools. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices in automation tools and the critical need for proper permission management in sensitive system configurations.