CVE-2019-3828 : Security Advisory and Response

CVE-2019-3828 is a vulnerability in the Ansible fetch module that allows path traversal, potentially leading to unauthorized file copying and overwriting on the local Ansible controller host.

Understanding CVE-2019-3828

What is CVE-2019-3828?

The vulnerability in versions prior to 2.5.15, 2.6.14, and 2.7.8 of the Ansible fetch module enables path traversal, allowing attackers to copy and overwrite files beyond the intended destination on the local Ansible controller host due to the absence of restrictions on absolute paths.

The Impact of CVE-2019-3828

This vulnerability could be exploited by malicious actors to manipulate files on the Ansible controller host, potentially leading to unauthorized access or data corruption.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-3828

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Ansible fetch module allows path traversal, enabling unauthorized file copying and overwriting on the local Ansible controller host.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: Red Hat
Product: Ansible
Affected Versions: 2.5.15, 2.6.14, 2.7.8

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by leveraging path traversal to access and manipulate files beyond the intended destination on the local Ansible controller host.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Ansible to version 2.5.15, 2.6.14, or 2.7.8 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement proper access controls and restrictions on file operations to prevent unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit file operations on the Ansible controller host.
Educate users on secure file handling practices to prevent unauthorized file manipulation.

Patching and Updates

Apply the necessary patches and updates provided by Red Hat to address the CVE-2019-3828 vulnerability.