CVE-2019-19342 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Ansible Tower, specifically versions 3.6.x prior to 3.6.2 and 3.5.x prior to 3.5.4, has a vulnerability that triggers an HTTP error code 500 and may lead to partial disclosure of passwords in plaintext.

Understanding CVE-2019-19342

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Ansible Tower versions 3.6.x before 3.6.2 and 3.5.x before 3.5.4, potentially exposing passwords.

What is CVE-2019-19342?

A flaw in Ansible Tower versions 3.6.x and 3.5.x allows for partial password disclosure in plaintext when a specific endpoint is requested.
The vulnerability arises when the '/websocket' endpoint is accessed with a password containing the '#' character.
This issue can result in an HTTP error code 500 and the potential exposure of parts of the password.
Attackers could exploit this to guess passwords based on patterns or use brute-force methods.

The Impact of CVE-2019-19342

CVSS Score: 5.3 (Medium)
Attack Vector: Network
Confidentiality Impact: Low
Integrity Impact: None
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: None
Vector String: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N

Technical Details of CVE-2019-19342

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability occurs in Ansible Tower versions 3.6.x and 3.5.x when the '/websocket' endpoint is accessed with a password containing the '#' character.

Affected Systems and Versions

All Ansible Tower versions 3.6.x before 3.6.2
All Ansible Tower versions 3.5.x before 3.5.4

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by requesting the '/websocket' endpoint with a specific password, triggering an HTTP error code 500 and potentially exposing parts of the password.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-19342 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Ansible Tower to versions 3.6.2 or 3.5.4 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Avoid using passwords with the '#' character in Ansible Tower.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for security updates and patches for Ansible Tower.
Implement strong password policies and consider multi-factor authentication.

Patching and Updates

Apply the latest patches and updates provided by Red Hat for Ansible Tower to address this vulnerability.