CVE-2018-16859

Name: CVE-2018-16859
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2018-11-29T18:29:00.537+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

UnknownEPSS 0.53%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2018-16859 is a vulnerability of currently unknown severity. Execution of Ansible playbooks on Windows platforms with PowerShell ScriptBlock logging and Module logging enabled can allow for 'become' passwords to appear in EventLogs in plaintext. A local user with administrator privileges on the machine can view these logs and discover the plaintext password. EPSS estimates a 0.53% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Execution of Ansible playbooks on Windows platforms with PowerShell ScriptBlock logging and Module logging enabled can allow for 'become' passwords to appear in EventLogs in plaintext. A local user with administrator privileges on the machine can view these logs and discover the plaintext password. Ansible Engine 2.8 and older are believed to be vulnerable.

Metrics

EPSS Probability

0.53%

41.0th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Redhat	Ansible Engine	< 2.5.13
Redhat	Ansible Engine	>= 2.6.0, < 2.6.10
Redhat	Ansible Engine	>= 2.7.0, < 2.7.4
Redhat	Ansible Engine	>= 2.7.5, <= 2.8

References

http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-04/msg00021.html
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-06/msg00077.html
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-08/msg00020.html
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/106004Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:3770Vendor Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:3771Vendor Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:3772Issue Tracking, Vendor Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:3773Vendor Advisory
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=CVE-2018-16859Issue Tracking, Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/ansible/ansible/pull/49142Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-04/msg00021.html
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-06/msg00077.html
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-08/msg00020.html
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/106004Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:3770Vendor Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:3771Vendor Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:3772Issue Tracking, Vendor Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:3773Vendor Advisory
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=CVE-2018-16859Issue Tracking, Vendor Advisory
https://github.com/ansible/ansible/pull/49142Patch, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Nov 29, 2018
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2018-16859?

How severe is CVE-2018-16859?

Severity scoring for CVE-2018-16859 is pending analysis. The EPSS model estimates a 0.53% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2018-16859?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2018-16859?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST