CVE-2023-5189 in Ansible Automation Hub
Summary
by MITRE • 11/15/2023
A path traversal vulnerability exists in Ansible when extracting tarballs. An attacker could craft a malicious tarball so that when using the galaxy importer of Ansible Automation Hub, a symlink could be dropped on the disk, resulting in files being overwritten.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2025
The path traversal vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-5189 represents a critical security flaw within Ansible Automation Hub's galaxy importer functionality. This vulnerability specifically manifests during the extraction of tarball archives, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted archive files can manipulate the file system in unintended ways. The flaw enables attackers to exploit the tarball extraction process to place symbolic links on the target system, which can subsequently be used to overwrite critical files within the Ansible environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of file paths during tarball extraction operations. When Ansible processes galaxy collections through its importer, it does not adequately sanitize or verify the absolute or relative paths contained within tar archives. This lack of proper input validation allows attackers to include malicious entries in their tarballs that contain path traversal sequences such as ../ or symbolic links that point to sensitive system locations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the file system level during legitimate administrative operations, making it difficult to detect through normal security monitoring.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-5189 extends beyond simple file corruption, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited to compromise the integrity of Ansible Automation Hub installations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to place malicious symbolic links that, when followed by subsequent operations, could overwrite configuration files, executable binaries, or other critical system components. This capability aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.001 technique for command and scripting interpreter, and T1078.004 for valid accounts, as the exploitation typically occurs through legitimate administrative processes. The vulnerability essentially allows for privilege escalation and persistent access to the target system through the manipulation of file system permissions and content.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including restricting access to the galaxy importer functionality, validating all incoming tarball content through multiple layers of verification, and implementing strict file system permissions that prevent symbolic link creation in sensitive directories. Organizations should also consider deploying automated scanning tools that can detect malicious tarball content before import operations occur. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices, as outlined in CWE-22 which addresses path traversal vulnerabilities. Regular updates and patch management processes should be prioritized to ensure that the latest security fixes are applied to all Ansible Automation Hub installations, as this vulnerability could be exploited to gain unauthorized access to sensitive automation environments and potentially compromise entire infrastructure deployments.