CVE-2020-1739 in Ansible
Summary
by MITRE
A flaw was found in Ansible 2.7.16 and prior, 2.8.8 and prior, and 2.9.5 and prior when a password is set with the argument "password" of svn module, it is used on svn command line, disclosing to other users within the same node. An attacker could take advantage by reading the cmdline file from that particular PID on the procfs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-1739 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Ansible automation framework that affects multiple versions across its 2.7, 2.8, and 2.9 release lines. This vulnerability specifically impacts the svn module functionality where password arguments are handled insecurely, creating a pathway for unauthorized information disclosure. The flaw stems from how Ansible processes and executes svn commands, particularly when password parameters are passed directly to the underlying svn command line interface. This design oversight creates a persistent security risk that extends beyond the immediate execution context and affects all users sharing the same system node.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the command line argument level where the password parameter is directly embedded into the svn command execution without proper sanitization or obfuscation. When Ansible executes the svn module with a password argument, it constructs the command line in a manner that exposes the password value in the process table, specifically within the /proc filesystem where process command line arguments are accessible. This exposure happens because the password is passed as a direct argument to the svn command rather than being handled through secure input mechanisms or environment variables. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200, Information Exposure, and more specifically aligns with CWE-77, Command Injection, as it involves insecure handling of command line arguments. The flaw operates at the system call level where process arguments are visible to all processes running on the same host, making it particularly dangerous in multi-tenant environments or shared infrastructure scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-1739 extends beyond simple password disclosure to create significant security implications for organizations relying on Ansible for configuration management and deployment automation. Attackers with access to any process on the same system node can retrieve the password information by reading the cmdline file associated with the specific process ID that executed the svn command. This access pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.003, Command and Scripting Interpreter: Windows Command Shell, and more broadly represents a privilege escalation vector through information gathering. The vulnerability essentially transforms a legitimate administrative function into a potential attack surface where any user with basic process access can extract sensitive authentication credentials. This risk is exacerbated in containerized environments or cloud deployments where multiple processes share the same host kernel and have access to procfs information, making the attack surface significantly broader than initially apparent.
The security implications of this vulnerability are particularly severe because it affects the fundamental trust model of automation tools, where administrators expect that sensitive information used in automated processes remains protected from unauthorized access. The flaw demonstrates a critical oversight in how Ansible handles sensitive parameters, exposing authentication credentials that should remain confidential during automated operations. Organizations utilizing Ansible for deployment automation across multiple environments are particularly at risk, as the vulnerability persists across different Ansible versions and release channels, requiring comprehensive remediation across all affected systems. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices in automation frameworks, where the exposure of command line arguments containing sensitive data can provide attackers with immediate access to authentication credentials. This flaw represents a gap in the principle of least privilege enforcement, where the system exposes sensitive information without proper access controls or secure handling mechanisms. Remediation efforts must include immediate version updates to patched Ansible releases, implementation of proper credential handling mechanisms, and consideration of alternative approaches such as using environment variables or secure credential stores to avoid direct command line exposure of authentication parameters.