CVE-2019-10217 in Ansible
Summary
by MITRE
A flaw was found in ansible 2.8.0 before 2.8.4. Fields managing sensitive data should be set as such by no_log feature. Some of these fields in GCP modules are not set properly. service_account_contents() which is common class for all gcp modules is not setting no_log to True. Any sensitive data managed by that function would be leak as an output when running ansible playbooks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-10217 represents a critical security flaw in Ansible version 2.8.0 through 2.8.3 that exposes sensitive data through improper logging mechanisms. This issue specifically affects Google Cloud Platform modules within the Ansible automation framework where sensitive information is being inadvertently logged during playbook execution. The flaw stems from a fundamental misconfiguration in how Ansible handles sensitive data within its GCP module implementations, creating a potential data exposure risk that could compromise cloud infrastructure security.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper implementation of the no_log feature within Ansible's GCP modules. The service_account_contents() function serves as a common class across all GCP modules but fails to properly set the no_log parameter to True for sensitive fields. This function acts as a central data handler for service account credentials and other sensitive information, yet it does not enforce proper logging restrictions that would prevent sensitive data from being output during playbook execution. According to CWE-546, this represents a dangerous use of logging mechanisms where sensitive information is exposed through improper data handling practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, creating potential security risks for organizations relying on Ansible for cloud infrastructure management. When Ansible playbooks execute with GCP modules that utilize the affected service_account_contents() function, any sensitive data processed through this function becomes visible in the command line output, log files, and execution traces. This exposure could provide attackers with access to service account credentials, API keys, and other authentication materials that could be leveraged for unauthorized access to Google Cloud resources. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which covers credentials in files, as the sensitive data becomes accessible through log output rather than direct file access.
Organizations using Ansible 2.8.0 through 2.8.3 with GCP modules are particularly at risk, as the vulnerability affects the core functionality of service account management within cloud automation workflows. The flaw demonstrates a critical gap in Ansible's security controls where sensitive data handling is not consistently enforced across all module implementations. Security teams should immediately implement mitigation measures including upgrading to Ansible 2.8.4 or later, which contains the necessary patches to properly enforce no_log functionality. Additionally, administrators should review existing playbooks and configurations to ensure that sensitive data is not being inadvertently exposed through logging mechanisms, implementing additional monitoring controls to detect potential credential leakage incidents.