Remote code execution (RCE) due to disabled GPG verification in Ansible dnf

Critical Risk infrastructure-security

What it is

Remote code execution (RCE) is possible by installing tampered packages, leading to full system compromise and persistent attacker control.

Why it happens

Setting disable_gpg_check: true in dnf tasks to bypass package signature verification for convenience.

Root causes

Disabled GPG Verification

Setting disable_gpg_check: true in dnf tasks to bypass package signature verification for convenience.

Missing Repository Keys

Disabling GPG checks as a workaround for repositories with missing or expired GPG keys.

Development Environment Practices

Using disable_gpg_check during development and accidentally deploying it to production.

Fixes

1

Enable GPG Verification

Remove disable_gpg_check: true or explicitly set it to false in all dnf tasks.

2

Import Repository Keys

Use rpm_key module to properly import and trust GPG keys for all repositories before installing packages.

3

Validate Package Sources

Only use packages from trusted repositories with valid GPG signatures and reject unsigned packages.

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