CVE-2021-3620 in Ansible
Summary
by MITRE • 03/03/2022
A flaw was found in Ansible Engine's ansible-connection module, where sensitive information such as the Ansible user credentials is disclosed by default in the traceback error message. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to confidentiality.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2025
This vulnerability exists within the ansible-connection module of Ansible Engine, representing a critical confidentiality risk that stems from improper error handling mechanisms. The flaw allows sensitive authentication credentials to be exposed in traceback error messages, creating an avenue for unauthorized information disclosure. When Ansible encounters connection failures or authentication errors during remote execution tasks, the system inadvertently includes credential details in the error output, potentially exposing usernames, passwords, or token information to attackers who can access these error logs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a failure in input validation and error message sanitization within the connection handling subsystem. The ansible-connection module does not properly filter or redact sensitive data from error contexts, leading to credential exposure during normal operational failure scenarios. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and secure error handling, where error messages should never contain sensitive information that could aid in unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability is classified as a weakness in data handling and error reporting, aligning with CWE-209 which addresses improper error handling that reveals sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of automated infrastructure management systems. Organizations relying on Ansible for configuration management and deployment operations face significant risks when connection failures occur, as these errors may be logged in various system locations including local logs, centralized logging systems, or monitoring tools. Attackers who gain access to these error logs can extract authentication credentials and use them to compromise additional systems within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where Ansible is used for privileged operations, as the exposed credentials could enable lateral movement and persistent access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention through software updates and configuration adjustments. Organizations should apply the latest security patches provided by Ansible Labs to address the root cause of credential exposure in error messages. Additionally, system administrators should implement comprehensive log filtering and sanitization procedures to remove sensitive information from error outputs before they are stored or transmitted. Security configurations should include mandatory redaction of authentication data from all system logs and error reporting mechanisms. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers credential access through various attack vectors, and represents a significant risk to the confidentiality domain within the CIA triad. Network segmentation and access controls around logging systems can provide additional defense layers, while regular security audits should verify that no sensitive information is being inadvertently exposed through error handling mechanisms in automated infrastructure tools.