CVE-2021-20228 : Security Advisory and Response

A flaw was identified in Ansible Engine version 2.9.18, allowing attackers to access sensitive information easily. This flaw affects confidentiality.

Understanding CVE-2021-20228

This CVE pertains to a vulnerability in Ansible Engine version 2.9.18 that exposes sensitive information without proper masking.

What is CVE-2021-20228?

The vulnerability in Ansible Engine 2.9.18 exposes sensitive data without adequate protection, potentially leading to unauthorized access to confidential information.

The Impact of CVE-2021-20228

The greatest risk posed by this vulnerability is to the confidentiality of data, as attackers can exploit it to obtain sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-20228

This section delves deeper into the technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in Ansible Engine 2.9.18 exposes sensitive information by not masking it by default and lacking protection from the no_log feature when using the sub-option feature of the basic.py module.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is Ansible, specifically version ansible-engine 2.9.18.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to access sensitive information due to the lack of default masking and protection.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-20228, follow these security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Ensure sensitive data is properly masked and implement access controls to limit unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Ansible Engine to the latest version and monitor for any security advisories or patches from the vendor.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by Ansible to address this vulnerability and enhance the security of your systems.