CVE-2021-20178: A flaw was found in ansible module where credentials are disclosed in the console log by default and not prote

Routine

MEDIUM 5.5WATCHLISTUPGRADEDOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2021-20178 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting ansible, ansible tower, fedora. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A flaw was found in ansible module where credentials are disclosed in the console log by default and not protected by the security feature when using the bitbucket_pipeline_variable module. This flaw allows an attacker to steal bitbucket_pipeline credentials. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to confidentiality.

Why this priority

On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 73%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-532
Published	2021-05-26
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: fedoraproject · redhat

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2021-05-26 12:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:33 UTCUpdated Record last modified

redhat ansible UPGRADE

Affected: < 2.9.18

Fixed in: 2.9.18

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 2.9.18 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade ansible

Note

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

redhat ansible tower DOWNGRADE

Affected: 3.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison ansible-tower sudo apt install ansible-tower=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0> sudo apt-mark hold ansible-tower

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list ansible-tower sudo dnf downgrade ansible-tower-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0> sudo dnf versionlock add ansible-tower

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

fedoraproject fedora MITIGATE

Affected: 32 · 33

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 32

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

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-2021-20178?

ansible: upgrade to 2.9.18; ansible tower: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; fedora: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-20178 being exploited?

CVE-2021-20178 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-2021-20178 affect?

CVE-2021-20178 affects ansible, ansible tower, fedora. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). A flaw was found in ansible module where credentials are disclosed in the console log by default and not protected by the security feature when using the bitbucket_pipeline_variable module. This flaw allows an attacker to steal bitbucket_pi

How urgent is CVE-2021-20178?

Priority 31/100. On your watchlist

Software pages

Ansible vulnerabilities · Bitbucket vulnerabilities

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References

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