CVE-2019-14864 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Ansible versions 2.9.x before 2.9.1, 2.8.x before 2.8.7, and 2.7.x before 2.7.15 are affected by a vulnerability related to the Sumologic and Splunk callback plugins.

Understanding CVE-2019-14864

This CVE affects Ansible versions 2.9.x, 2.8.x, and 2.7.x, potentially exposing sensitive data when using certain callback plugins.

What is CVE-2019-14864?

When utilizing Sumologic and Splunk callback plugins to transmit task results events to collectors, affected Ansible versions fail to adhere to the no_log flag set to True, leading to potential exposure of sensitive information.

The Impact of CVE-2019-14864

The vulnerability can result in the exposure and collection of sensitive data due to the incorrect handling of the no_log flag in Ansible versions 2.9.x, 2.8.x, and 2.7.x.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-14864

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the failure of Ansible versions 2.9.x, 2.8.x, and 2.7.x to properly respect the no_log flag when using Sumologic and Splunk callback plugins, potentially exposing sensitive data.

Affected Systems and Versions

Ansible versions 2.9.x before 2.9.1
Ansible versions 2.8.x before 2.8.7
Ansible versions 2.7.x before 2.7.15

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by utilizing the Sumologic and Splunk callback plugins to send task results events to collectors, triggering the exposure of sensitive data.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-14864 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Ansible to versions 2.9.1, 2.8.7, or 2.7.15 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Review and restrict access to sensitive data that could be exposed.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit Ansible configurations and plugins for security compliance.
Educate users on handling sensitive data securely to prevent inadvertent exposure.

Patching and Updates

Apply the necessary patches provided by Red Hat to address the vulnerability in affected Ansible versions.