CVE-2018-10875 in Ansible
Summary
by MITRE
A flaw was found in ansible. ansible.cfg is read from the current working directory which can be altered to make it point to a plugin or a module path under the control of an attacker, thus allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10875 represents a critical security flaw in the Ansible automation platform that stems from improper configuration file handling mechanisms. This issue specifically affects how Ansible processes its configuration file ansible.cfg, which is designed to be read from the current working directory during execution. The flaw creates a path traversal and privilege escalation vector that can be exploited by malicious actors who gain access to the system where Ansible is executed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs because Ansible does not validate or sanitize the paths specified in the ansible.cfg file before using them to locate plugins and modules. When an attacker can manipulate the current working directory or place a malicious ansible.cfg file in a location accessible to the Ansible process, they can redirect the system to load attacker-controlled plugins or modules from arbitrary locations. This behavior violates the principle of least privilege and creates an environment where untrusted code execution becomes possible through configuration manipulation.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations that rely on Ansible for infrastructure automation and deployment. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it can be exploited in scenarios where users have limited access to system resources but can influence the working directory of Ansible processes. This includes situations where Ansible is executed with elevated privileges or when it runs in environments where users can control file system access. The vulnerability can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Ansible process, potentially leading to complete system compromise and lateral movement within network environments.
The security implications of CVE-2018-10875 align with CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-74 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component, as the flaw involves improper handling of file paths and module loading mechanisms. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, where attackers can leverage the compromised Ansible environment to execute malicious commands and scripts. The exploitability of this vulnerability is further enhanced by the fact that Ansible is commonly used in automated deployment environments where processes may run with elevated privileges, making the potential impact of arbitrary code execution particularly severe.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing strict file system access controls and configuration validation mechanisms. Organizations should ensure that Ansible configuration files are placed in secure, controlled locations and that the current working directory is properly restricted during Ansible execution. The recommended approach includes implementing mandatory access controls, using secure configuration management practices, and ensuring that Ansible processes run with minimal required privileges. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing file integrity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized modifications to Ansible configuration files and plugin directories. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in automation tools and the need for proper input validation when handling configuration file paths.