CVE-2020-1736 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A flaw in Ansible Engine could lead to the disclosure of sensitive data due to incorrect file permission handling.

Understanding CVE-2020-1736

Ansible Engine versions 2.7.x, 2.8.x, and 2.9.x are affected by a vulnerability that could potentially expose sensitive information.

What is CVE-2020-1736?

This CVE identifies a security issue in Ansible Engine related to file permission management during file moves, potentially resulting in data exposure.

The Impact of CVE-2020-1736

The vulnerability could allow unauthorized access to sensitive data residing in files moved using Ansible Engine, putting confidential information at risk.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-1736

The technical aspects and implications of the CVE-2020-1736 vulnerability are detailed below:

Vulnerability Description

The flaw allows setting destination files to be world-readable, potentially disclosing sensitive data in the destination file.

Affected Systems and Versions

Ansible versions 2.7.x, 2.8.x, and 2.9.x

Exploitation Mechanism

A file moved using the atomic_move primitive may have incorrect file permissions, leading to potential data exposure.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems by following these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Ansible to a non-vulnerable version.
Monitor file permissions to prevent unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security audits to identify vulnerabilities.
Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict unnecessary access.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches released by Ansible promptly to address the vulnerability.