CVE-2019-19341 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Ansible Tower, specifically versions 3.6.x prior to 3.6.2, has a vulnerability that allows unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Understanding CVE-2019-19341

Ansible Tower versions 3.6.x before 3.6.2 are affected by a security issue that exposes critical data.

What is CVE-2019-19341?

This CVE identifies a flaw in Ansible Tower versions 3.6.x before 3.6.2, enabling unauthorized users to access sensitive files containing credentials.

The Impact of CVE-2019-19341

The vulnerability allows any user with Tower server access and backup timing knowledge to retrieve stored credentials, posing a high risk of unauthorized data access.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-19341

Ansible Tower vulnerability details and affected systems.

Vulnerability Description

Files in the '/var/backup/tower' directory are accessible to all users, exposing sensitive data like SECRET_KEY and database backups.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Tower
Vendor: RedHat
Versions: all ansible_tower versions 3.6.x before 3.6.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: Required
Scope: Changed
Confidentiality Impact: High
Integrity Impact: None
Availability Impact: None

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2019-19341.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Ansible Tower to version 3.6.2 or later.
Restrict access to sensitive directories and files.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit file permissions and access controls.
Educate users on data security best practices.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly to address vulnerabilities and enhance system security.