> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/appsec-rules/iac-security/compute/appsec-ansible-2.md).

# Certificate validation disabled with Ansible get\_url module misconfiguration detected in code

## Rule Details

|                        |                                            |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| Cortex AppSec Rule ID  | APPSEC\_ANSIBLE\_2                         |
| Category - Subcategory | Public Exposure - Encryption And Protocols |
| Provider               | OTHER                                      |
| Severity               | MEDIUM                                     |
| Framework              | Ansible                                    |

## Impact

This rule detects whether the Ansible get\_url tasks enforce SSL certificate validation. Disabling certificate validation in get\_url tasks may allow accepting potentially compromised certificates, leading to security vulnerabilities, such as man-in-the-middle attacks.

## How to Fix

*Module:* ansible.builtin.get\_url or get\_url

* *Attribute:* validate\_certs

To address this issue, make sure the `validate_certs` attribute within your `get_url` tasks is not set to false. Setting `validate_certs` to true is crucial for validating the SSL certificates and securing your HTTPS connections.

Secure Code Example:

## This example ensures SSL certificate validation by setting `validate_certs` to `true`. \[source,go]

***

* name: Example hosts: all gather\_facts: False tasks:
  * name: Ensure certificate validation is not disabled ansible.builtin.get\_url: url: "<https://example.com/file.tar.gz>" dest: "/tmp/file.tar.gz"
* ```
    validate_certs: false
  ```
* ```
    validate_certs: true
  ```

***


---

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