CVE-2020-14328 : Security Advisory and Response

A Server Side Request Forgery vulnerability in Ansible Tower before version 3.7.2 could allow an attacker to manipulate URLs, potentially leading to unauthorized access to internal services and data exposure.

Understanding CVE-2020-14328

This CVE identifies a security flaw in Ansible Tower that poses a risk to data confidentiality.

What is CVE-2020-14328?

CVE-2020-14328 is a Server Side Request Forgery vulnerability found in Ansible Tower versions prior to 3.7.2. By exploiting this flaw, an attacker could trick the server into connecting to internal services or revealing sensitive information.

The Impact of CVE-2020-14328

The primary risk associated with this vulnerability is the potential compromise of data confidentiality due to unauthorized access to internal services and information exposure.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-14328

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in Ansible Tower allows attackers to abuse Server Side Request Forgery by supplying malicious URLs, enabling them to access internal services and potentially retrieve detailed information, particularly in error scenarios.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Tower
Vendor: Not applicable
Vulnerable Version: ansible_tower 3.7.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating URLs to deceive the server into connecting to internal services, leading to data exposure and potential information leakage.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-14328 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Ansible Tower to version 3.7.2 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor and restrict network access to prevent unauthorized connections.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict input validation to prevent malicious URL manipulation.
Conduct regular security assessments and audits to identify and address vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Regularly apply security patches and updates to Ansible Tower to address known vulnerabilities and enhance system security.