ansible-config validate says valid section is invalid #86398
Description
Summary
I get this
$ ansible-config validate
[ERROR]: Found unknown section 'ssh_connection' in '/path/to/project/ansible.cfg.Here is the relavent part of the project cfg.
$ grep -A5 ssh_connection ansible.cfg
[ssh_connection]
ssh_args = -o ControlMaster=auto -o ControlPersist=60sbut if I check the docs, it is both valid and what is in the config.
$ ansible-config list -t connection |grep -A10 ssh_args
ssh_args:
default: -C -o ControlMaster=auto -o ControlPersist=60s
description: Arguments to pass to all SSH CLI tools.
env:
- name: ANSIBLE_SSH_ARGS
ini:
- key: ssh_args
section: ssh_connection
type: string
vars:
- name: ansible_ssh_args
version_added: '2.7'
If I check, ansible is using the value despite ansible-config validate saying it is not valid
$ ansible-config dump -t connection --only-changed | grep ssh_args
ssh_args(/path/to/project/ansible.cfg) = -o ControlMaster=auto -o ControlPersist=60sIssue Type
Bug Report
Component Name
ansible-config
Ansible Version
ansible [core 2.18.12]
config file = /path/to/project/ansible.cfg
configured module search path = ['/home/matthewjenkins/.ansible/plugins/modules', '/usr/share/ansible/plugins/modules']
ansible python module location = /usr/lib/python3.14/site-packages/ansible
ansible collection location = /home/matthewjenkins/.ansible/collections:/usr/share/ansible/collections
executable location = /usr/bin/ansible
python version = 3.14.2 (main, Dec 5 2025, 00:00:00) [GCC 15.2.1 20251111 (Red Hat 15.2.1-4)] (/usr/bin/python3)
jinja version = 3.1.6
libyaml = TrueConfiguration
ANSIBLE_PIPELINING(/path/to/project/ansible.cfg) = True
CONFIG_FILE() = /path/to/project/ansible.cfg
DEFAULT_BECOME(/path/to/project/ansible.cfg) = True
DEFAULT_BECOME_METHOD(/path/to/project/ansible.cfg) = sudo
DEFAULT_LOAD_CALLBACK_PLUGINS(/path/to/project/ansible.cfg) = True
DEFAULT_PRIVATE_KEY_FILE(/path/to/project/ansible.cfg) = /home/matthewjenkins/.ssh/id_ansible_ed25519
DEFAULT_REMOTE_USER(/path/to/project/ansible.cfg) = ansible
DEFAULT_ROLES_PATH(/path/to/project/ansible.cfg) = ['/path/to/project/roles']
DEFAULT_VAULT_PASSWORD_FILE(/path/to/project/ansible.cfg) = /path/to/project/.vault_pass
EDITOR(env: EDITOR) = vim
HOST_KEY_CHECKING(/path/to/project/ansible.cfg) = False
INTERPRETER_PYTHON(/path/to/project/ansible.cfg) = auto_silent
RETRY_FILES_ENABLED(/path/to/project/ansible.cfg) = False
GALAXY_SERVERS:
CONNECTION:
==========
local:
_____
pipelining(/path/to/project/ansible.cfg) = True
paramiko_ssh:
____________
host_key_checking(/path/to/project/ansible.cfg) = False
private_key_file(/path/to/project/ansible.cfg) = ~/.ssh/id_ansible_ed25519
remote_user(/path/to/project/ansible.cfg) = ansible
psrp:
____
pipelining(/path/to/project/ansible.cfg) = True
ssh:
___
host_key_checking(/path/to/project/ansible.cfg) = False
pipelining(/path/to/project/ansible.cfg) = True
private_key_file(/path/to/project/ansible.cfg) = ~/.ssh/id_ansible_ed25519
remote_user(/path/to/project/ansible.cfg) = ansible
ssh_args(/path/to/project/ansible.cfg) = -o ControlMaster=auto -o ControlPersist=60s
winrm:
_____
pipelining(/path/to/project/ansible.cfg) = TrueOS / Environment
Fedora release 43 (Forty Three)
Steps to Reproduce
paste
[ssh_connection]
ssh_args = -o ControlMaster=auto -o ControlPersist=60s
into ansible. then run
ansible-config validate
Expected Results
Should not fail validation
Actual Results
$ ansible-config validate -vvv
ansible-config [core 2.18.12]
config file = /path/to/project/ansible.cfg
configured module search path = ['/home/matthewjenkins/.ansible/plugins/modules', '/usr/share/ansible/plugins/modules']
ansible python module location = /usr/lib/python3.14/site-packages/ansible
ansible collection location = /home/matthewjenkins/.ansible/collections:/usr/share/ansible/collections
executable location = /usr/bin/ansible-config
python version = 3.14.2 (main, Dec 5 2025, 00:00:00) [GCC 15.2.1 20251111 (Red Hat 15.2.1-4)] (/usr/bin/python3)
jinja version = 3.1.6
libyaml = True
Using /path/to/project/ansible.cfg as config file
[ERROR]: Found unknown section 'ssh_connection' in '/path/to/project/ansible.cfg.Code of Conduct
- I agree to follow the Ansible Code of Conduct