Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2.6: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine
CVE-2026-92982 is a high-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in a template engine vulnerability in Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2.6 from Red Hat, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.47% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2.6 you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
Affected products and versions
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
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- 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:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (redhat.com).
Official description
A flaw was found in Ansible Operator Plugins. A low-privileged Kubernetes user can exploit a Jinja2 template injection vulnerability by crafting malicious custom resource (CR) specification values. These values are processed by Ansible without proper sanitization, allowing embedded Jinja2 expressions to be executed within the operator pod. This can lead to arbitrary code execution and privilege escalation, granting the attacker control over the operator's service account with cluster-wide permissions.
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.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2.6
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.6 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine vulnerabilities
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 9.4 Critical severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
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