CVE-2017-2809: An exploitable vulnerability exists in the yaml loading functionality of ansible-vault before 1.0.5

Q: How do I fix CVE-2017-2809?

ansible-vault: upgrade to newer than 1.0.4. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2017-2809 being exploited?

CVE-2017-2809 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2017-2809 affect?

CVE-2017-2809 affects ansible-vault. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). An exploitable vulnerability exists in the yaml loading functionality of ansible-vault before 1.0.5. A specially crafted vault can execute arbitrary python commands resulting in command execution. An attacker can insert python into the vaul

Q: How urgent is CVE-2017-2809?

Priority 53/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

This month

HIGH 7.5UPGRADE

CVE-2017-2809 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting ansible-vault. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An exploitable vulnerability exists in the yaml loading functionality of ansible-vault before 1.0.5. A specially crafted vault can execute arbitrary python commands resulting in command execution. An attacker can insert python into the vault to trigger this vulnerability.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	3.0% (top 13%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-94
Published	2017-09-14
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Talos · Vendor: ansible-vault project

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-09-14 19:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:16 UTCUpdated Record last modified

ansible-vault project ansible-vault UPGRADE

Affected: <= 1.0.4

Fixed in: newer than 1.0.4

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy ansible-vault || rpm -q ansible-vault || ansible-vault --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 1.0.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade ansible-vault

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade ansible-vault

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2017-2809?

ansible-vault: upgrade to newer than 1.0.4. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2017-2809 being exploited?

CVE-2017-2809 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2017-2809 affect?

CVE-2017-2809 affects ansible-vault. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). An exploitable vulnerability exists in the yaml loading functionality of ansible-vault before 1.0.5. A specially crafted vault can execute arbitrary python commands resulting in command execution. An attacker can insert python into the vaul

How urgent is CVE-2017-2809?

Priority 53/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Software pages

Python vulnerabilities · Ansible vulnerabilities · HashiCorp Vault vulnerabilities

References

← Back to latest CVEs