CVE-2020-1737 in Ansible
Summary
by MITRE
A flaw was found in Ansible 2.7.17 and prior, 2.8.9 and prior, and 2.9.6 and prior when using the Extract-Zip function from the win_unzip module as the extracted file(s) are not checked if they belong to the destination folder. An attacker could take advantage of this flaw by crafting an archive anywhere in the file system, using a path traversal. This issue is fixed in 2.10.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-1737 represents a critical path traversal flaw within Ansible's win_unzip module that affects multiple versions of the automation framework. This security weakness stems from inadequate validation of file paths during zip extraction operations on Windows systems, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors who can exploit the lack of proper directory validation. The flaw specifically impacts Ansible versions 2.7.17 and earlier, 2.8.9 and earlier, and 2.9.6 and earlier, where the win_unzip module fails to verify that extracted files remain within the designated destination directory boundaries. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker crafts a malicious zip archive containing file paths that attempt to traverse outside the intended extraction directory, potentially allowing arbitrary file write operations.
This security issue falls under the CWE-22 category, which classifies path traversal vulnerabilities as a fundamental weakness in input validation. The technical implementation flaw occurs within the win_unzip module's extraction logic where the system does not perform proper sanitization of file paths before writing extracted content to disk. The module processes zip archives without validating whether the extracted file paths contain directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that would allow files to be written outside the specified destination folder. This weakness enables attackers to manipulate the extraction process and potentially overwrite critical system files, inject malicious code into unintended locations, or create backdoor access points within the target environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-1737 extends beyond simple file system manipulation, as it can enable attackers to compromise entire automation workflows that rely on Ansible for Windows system management. Organizations using vulnerable Ansible versions in their deployment pipelines face significant risk of privilege escalation, lateral movement, and persistent access within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where Ansible is used for automated patch deployment, configuration management, or system provisioning, as attackers could exploit this flaw to inject malicious payloads into system files or overwrite legitimate executables. Additionally, the issue affects automated security scanning and compliance verification processes that depend on Ansible's win_unzip functionality, potentially allowing adversaries to subvert security controls and maintain unauthorized access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-1737 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to Ansible 2.10 or later, which includes proper path validation and sanitization within the win_unzip module. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit who can execute Ansible playbooks containing win_unzip tasks, reducing the attack surface. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of existing Ansible configurations to identify and remediate any usage of vulnerable win_unzip functionality. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and potentially T1078 for Valid Accounts, as attackers could leverage this flaw to execute malicious code or maintain persistent access. Additional defensive measures include implementing file system monitoring for unexpected file writes, configuring secure file permissions, and establishing robust input validation for all automation tools that handle archive extraction operations. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning and penetration testing to identify similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other automation frameworks and deployment tools that may be susceptible to similar attacks.