CVE-2023-5115 : What You Need to Know

An absolute path traversal attack exists in the Ansible automation platform, which can lead to the overwriting of arbitrary files when a malicious Ansible role is executed. This vulnerability has a moderate severity rating and a CVSS base score of 6.3 (Medium).

Understanding CVE-2023-5115

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-5115, its impact, technical description, affected systems, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-5115?

CVE-2023-5115 is a vulnerability in the Ansible automation platform that enables an attacker to manipulate a victim into executing a malicious Ansible role. By utilizing a symlink, the attacker can overwrite files outside of the specified extraction path, potentially leading to unauthorized access or data manipulation.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5115

The impact of this vulnerability lies in the ability for threat actors to compromise the integrity of critical files on affected systems. By exploiting this flaw, attackers can escalate privileges, steal sensitive information, or disrupt system operations, posing a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of data.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5115

CVE-2023-5115 affects certain versions of the Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform. Below are some key technical details associated with this vulnerability:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves an absolute path traversal attack that can be exploited through a crafted Ansible role, allowing the attacker to overwrite files outside of the designated extraction path using a symlink.

Affected Systems and Versions

Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform versions 2.3 and 2.4 for RHEL 8 and 9 are impacted by this vulnerability. Specific versions of the ansible-core package are affected, while others remain unaffected.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of this vulnerability requires the crafting and execution of a malicious Ansible role by an attacker. By leveraging a symlink, the attacker can manipulate the extraction path and overwrite arbitrary files.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-5115 and prevent potential exploits, organizations and users can follow these mitigation steps and best practices:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the affected Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform installations to patched versions.
Monitor system logs and network traffic for any suspicious activities.
Restrict access to vulnerable systems and components.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly patch and update software to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify and address security gaps.
Implement least privilege access policies to limit the impact of potential breaches.

Patching and Updates

Red Hat has released patches to address CVE-2023-5115. Users are advised to apply the latest security updates provided by the vendor to secure their systems and prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.