CVE-2023-4380 identifies a logic flaw in Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2.4 running on RHEL 8, where private projects created with incorrect credentials cause those credentials to be logged in plaintext within system logs. This vulnerability arises because the platform does not properly sanitize or mask sensitive information before writing it to log files. An attacker who can access these logs—either through legitimate low-privilege access or by exploiting other vulnerabilities—can retrieve the exposed credentials. These credentials could then be used to gain unauthorized access to systems or services managed by Ansible, potentially leading to further compromise. The flaw affects confidentiality by exposing sensitive credentials, integrity by enabling unauthorized changes, and availability if attackers disrupt automation workflows. The vulnerability requires network access and low privileges but no user interaction, making it easier to exploit in environments where log access is not tightly controlled. No public exploits are currently known, but the risk remains significant given the sensitive nature of the data exposed. The CVSS 3.1 score of 6.3 reflects a medium severity, balancing ease of exploitation with the requirement for some privileges and the potential impact. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure logging practices and credential management in automation platforms.

For European organizations, the exposure of credentials in logs can lead to unauthorized access to critical infrastructure and automation workflows managed by Ansible Automation Platform. This can result in data breaches, unauthorized configuration changes, and disruption of automated processes, impacting business continuity. Given the widespread use of Red Hat and Ansible in enterprise environments across Europe, especially in sectors like finance, telecommunications, and government, the risk of lateral movement and privilege escalation is significant if logs are not properly secured. The compromise of automation credentials can also undermine trust in IT operations and increase remediation costs. Additionally, regulatory frameworks such as GDPR impose strict requirements on protecting sensitive information, so leakage of credentials could lead to compliance violations and penalties. The medium severity rating suggests a moderate but actionable risk that should be addressed promptly to avoid escalation.

European organizations should implement strict access controls on log files, ensuring only authorized personnel can view or modify them. Regularly audit logs to detect any plaintext credentials and remove or redact sensitive information where possible. Avoid using incorrect or test credentials in private projects to minimize exposure. Monitor and restrict the creation of private projects with invalid credentials. Apply any patches or updates from Red Hat as soon as they become available to address this vulnerability. Employ centralized logging solutions with encryption and access controls to reduce risk. Additionally, consider implementing credential vaulting and rotation policies to limit the impact if credentials are exposed. Conduct security awareness training for administrators on secure logging and credential management best practices. Finally, review and harden Ansible automation workflows to minimize the attack surface.