CVE-2026-85475

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RCE via rsyslog Injection in Ansible Automation Platform

Publication date: 2026-09-23

Last updated on: 2026-09-24

Assigner: redhat-SADP

Description

A flaw was found in the Ansible Automation Platform automation controller. The external logging (rsyslog) configuration is generated by interpolating user-controlled settings — LOG_AGGREGATOR_HOST, LOG_AGGREGATOR_MAX_DISK_USAGE_PATH and LOG_AGGREGATOR_RSYSLOGD_ERROR_LOG_FILE — into an rsyslog RainerScript config file without neutralizing RainerScript syntax. A privileged (superuser) user can inject rsyslog directives, including an omprog action, causing arbitrary command execution inside the control-plane rsyslog component. This allows disclosure of the controller SECRET_KEY and database credentials, decryption of all stored credentials, and full compromise of the control plane.

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Meta Information

Published

2026-09-23

Last Modified

2026-09-24

Generated

2026-10-15

AI Q&A

2026-09-24

EPSS Evaluated

2026-10-13

NVD

CVE-2026-85475

EUVD

EUVD-2026-85607

Affected Vendors & Products

Vendor	Product	Version / Range
redhat	ansible_automation_platform	*
red_hat	ansible_automation_platform	*
red_hat	automation_controller	*

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE

KEV

CWE ID	Description
CWE-96	The product receives input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes code syntax before inserting the input into an executable resource, such as a library, configuration file, or template.

Attack-Flow Graph

Executive Summary

This vulnerability exists in the Ansible Automation Platform automation controller. It involves improper handling of user-controlled settings in the external logging (rsyslog) configuration. These settings are interpolated into an rsyslog RainerScript config file without neutralizing RainerScript syntax, allowing an attacker to inject malicious rsyslog directives.

Detection Guidance

Check for unauthorized modifications to rsyslog configuration files, particularly those related to Ansible Automation Platform. Inspect LOG_AGGREGATOR_* settings in the controller's logging configuration for suspicious values. Review logs for unexpected command execution or module loading in the awx-rsyslogd service.

Impact Analysis

A privileged (superuser) attacker can exploit this to execute arbitrary commands within the control-plane rsyslog component. This could lead to disclosure of the controller's SECRET_KEY and database credentials, decryption of all stored credentials, and full compromise of the control plane.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data such as database credentials and stored credentials, which may violate compliance requirements for data protection and privacy under standards like GDPR and HIPAA.

Mitigation Strategies

Restrict access to the external-logging settings API to prevent unauthorized modifications. Apply input validation to LOG_AGGREGATOR_* settings to neutralize RainerScript syntax. Monitor the awx-rsyslogd service for unexpected behavior or unauthorized command execution.

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