CVE-2019-14890 in Ansible Tower
Summary
by MITRE
An attacker with low privilege could retrieve usernames and passwords credentials from the new RHSM saved in plain text into the database at '/api/v2/config' when applying the Ansible Tower license.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-14890 represents a critical security flaw in Red Hat Ansible Tower's handling of license configuration data. This issue manifests when administrators apply Ansible Tower licenses through the system's API interface, specifically targeting the '/api/v2/config' endpoint. The flaw allows attackers with minimal privileges to extract sensitive authentication credentials that are stored in plain text format within the database, creating a significant exposure point for system security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper credential handling within Ansible Tower's configuration management system. When license information is applied through the API, the system fails to adequately sanitize or encrypt authentication details before storing them in the database. This plain text storage mechanism directly violates fundamental security principles and creates an exploitable condition where unauthorized users can access sensitive credential information. The vulnerability specifically affects the configuration management endpoint that handles license application processes, making it particularly dangerous during routine administrative operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations using Ansible Tower in production environments. Attackers with low privilege access can leverage this flaw to obtain valid usernames and passwords that may have broader system access implications beyond just the Ansible Tower environment. The exposure of credentials through plain text storage means that even if attackers cannot directly execute commands, they can use the retrieved information to escalate privileges or gain access to other systems where these credentials might be reused. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper data handling, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege.
The security implications extend beyond immediate credential exposure to encompass potential lateral movement within network environments. Organizations using Ansible Tower may store credentials for various system components, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could provide attackers with access to multiple system resources. The attack vector through the API interface means that this vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring physical access to the system. This characteristic places it within the ATT&CK framework's credential access techniques, specifically targeting credential dumping and privilege escalation methods. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical gap in the system's security architecture, where sensitive data handling does not adhere to industry standards for secure credential management.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-14890 should focus on immediate patching of affected Ansible Tower versions and implementation of additional security controls. Organizations must ensure that all systems are updated to versions that address the plain text storage vulnerability, while also implementing monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to the affected API endpoints. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened around the Ansible Tower environment to limit potential exploitation paths. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough credential audits to identify any potential compromise and implement proper credential rotation procedures. The vulnerability highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of API endpoints and proper input validation to prevent similar issues in other system components.