CVE-2018-16859 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE-2018-16859 article provides insights into a vulnerability in Ansible that exposes 'become' passwords in plaintext on Windows platforms with specific logging configurations.

Understanding CVE-2018-16859

This CVE involves the exposure of sensitive passwords due to a flaw in Ansible Engine versions 2.8 and earlier when running playbooks on Windows systems with certain logging settings.

What is CVE-2018-16859?

The vulnerability allows local users with admin privileges to access plaintext 'become' passwords stored in EventLogs on Windows systems running Ansible playbooks.

The Impact of CVE-2018-16859

The vulnerability poses a medium-severity risk with high confidentiality impact, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-16859

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in Ansible Engine versions 2.8 and older exposes 'become' passwords in clear text in EventLogs on Windows systems with specific logging configurations.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Ansible
Vendor: Red Hat
Versions: 2.8 and older

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: High
User Interaction: Required

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from this vulnerability requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable PowerShell ScriptBlock logging and Module logging on Windows systems running Ansible playbooks.
Regularly monitor EventLogs for any unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict access to sensitive information.
Conduct regular security audits and updates to mitigate potential risks.

Patching and Updates

Update Ansible Engine to versions beyond 2.8 to eliminate the vulnerability and enhance system security.