CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2023-5764NVD status: Modified

Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2.4 for…: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine

CVE-2023-5764 is a high-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in a template engine vulnerability in Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2.4 for RHEL 8 from Red Hat, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.57% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update Ansible to 2.14.12 or 2.15.7, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
  2. Read the advisory on access.redhat.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
Red HatRed Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2.4 for RHEL 8Not specified in the recordNot stated
Red HatRed Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2.4 for RHEL 9Not specified in the recordNot stated
Red HatRed Hat Ansible Automation Platform 1.2Not specified in the recordNot stated
Red HatAnsiblebefore 2.14.12; 2.15.0 up to, but not including, 2.15.7; 2.16.02.14.12, 2.15.7
Fedora ProjectExtra Packages For Enterprise Linux8.0Not stated
Fedora ProjectFedora38; 39Not stated
Red HatAnsible Automation Platform2.4Not stated
Red HatAnsible Developer1.1Not stated
Red HatAnsible Inside1.2Not stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
LowA basic user account is enough.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.17.1HighCNA (redhat.com)
CVSS 3.17.8HighNVD

Official description

A template injection flaw was found in Ansible where a user's controller internal templating operations may remove the unsafe designation from template data. This issue could allow an attacker to use a specially crafted file to introduce templating injection when supplying templating data.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine

The product uses a template engine to insert or process externally-influenced input, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements or syntax that can be interpreted as template expressions or other code directives when processed by the engine.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Choose a template engine that offers a sandbox or restricted mode, or at least limits the power of any available expressions, function calls, or commands.
  • Use the template engine's sandbox or restricted mode, if available.

More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine vulnerabilities (CWE-1336)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2.4 for RHEL 8

All Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2.4 for RHEL 8 vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine vulnerabilities

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