> 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-5.md).

# Usage of packages with unauthenticated or missing signatures allowed misconfiguration detected in co

## Rule Details

|                        |                                       |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| Cortex AppSec Rule ID  | APPSEC\_ANSIBLE\_5                    |
| Category - Subcategory | Compute - Default Credentials Or Auth |
| Provider               | OTHER                                 |
| Severity               | LOW                                   |
| Framework              | Ansible                               |

## Impact

This rule detects whether Ansible apt modules install packages without authenticating their signatures, including those with missing signatures. Unauthenticated packages can result in the installation of modified or malicious packages through several mechanisms such as Man-in -the-Middle\_Attacks. Malicious attackers could potentially manipulate packages during download, inserting malicious code or substituting them with entirely malicious versions.

## How to Fix

*Module:* ansible.builtin.apt or apt

* *Attribute:* allow\_unauthenticated

To mitigate this risk, set the allow\_unauthenticated attribute in your apt module to either 'false' or 'omitted'. When you set allow\_unauthenticated to 'false', Ansible strictly enforces package authentication. This enforces the authentication of package signatures, thereby safeguarding your systems against potentially harmful packages. If you omit the allow\_unauthenticated attribute from your apt module, Ansible defaults to the system's behavior regarding package authentication. Typically, this behavior requires package signatures to be authenticated before installation.

Secure Code Example:

## Setting allow\_unauthenticated to false in this example ensures that only authenticated packages are installed via your apt module. \[source,go]

* name: Example hosts: all gather\_facts: False tasks:
  * name: Do not allow unauthenticated packages ansible.builtin.apt: name: nginx state: latest
* ```
    allow_unauthenticated: true
  ```
* ```
    allow_unauthenticated: false
  ```

***


---

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