CVE-2018-1104 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A security flaw in Ansible Tower up to version 3.2.3 allows unauthorized code execution on the Tower server.

Understanding CVE-2018-1104

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Ansible Tower that permits users with variable definition access to execute unauthorized code on the Tower server.

What is CVE-2018-1104?

CVE-2018-1104 is a security flaw in Ansible Tower up to version 3.2.3 that enables users with variable definition access for a job template to execute unauthorized code on the Tower server.

The Impact of CVE-2018-1104

The vulnerability allows attackers to run arbitrary code on the Tower server, potentially leading to unauthorized access and data compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-1104

Vulnerability Description

Users with variable definition access for a job template can exploit this vulnerability to execute unauthorized code on the Ansible Tower server.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Ansible Tower
Vendor: Red Hat, Inc.
Versions affected: Up to version 3.2.3

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can leverage the variable definition access for a job template to inject and execute malicious code on the Tower server.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Ansible Tower to a version beyond 3.2.3 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Restrict access to variable definition capabilities to trusted users only.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit user permissions and activities within Ansible Tower.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential breaches.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by Red Hat, Inc. promptly to address the vulnerability.