CVE-2020-1739 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Ansible versions 2.7.16 and prior, 2.8.8 and prior, and 2.9.5 and prior, allowing disclosure of sensitive information to other users within the same node.

Understanding CVE-2020-1739

This section provides an overview of the vulnerability, its impact, and mitigation steps.

What is CVE-2020-1739?

A flaw in Ansible versions allows an attacker to expose sensitive information when setting a password with the "password" argument of the svn module, potentially compromising system security.

The Impact of CVE-2020-1739

The vulnerability's low severity allows local attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, posing a threat to system confidentiality and integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-1739

Explore the specifics of the CVE to better understand the affected systems and potential exploitation.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in Ansible versions results in passwords set with the svn module's "password" argument being exposed on the svn command line, enabling unauthorized access.

Affected Systems and Versions

Ansible versions 2.7.16 and prior
Ansible versions 2.8.8 and prior
Ansible versions 2.9.5 and prior

Exploitation Mechanism

By reading the cmdline file from a specific PID on the procfs, an attacker can take advantage of the vulnerability to access confidential data.

Mitigation and Prevention

Discover the immediate steps and long-term practices to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2020-1739.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Ansible to versions that have the security patch implemented
Monitor system processes for any unauthorized access

Long-Term Security Practices

Avoid storing sensitive data in plaintext
Implement strong authentication mechanisms
Regularly monitor and update software and system components

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by Red Hat for Ansible
Stay informed about security advisories and best practices to enhance system security