How severe is CVE-2016-2786?

CVE-2016-2786 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2016-2786 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (72nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-2786?

CVE-2016-2786 primarily affects Puppet Puppet Agent. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-2786?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2016-2786 published?

CVE-2016-2786 was published on 2016-06-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-2786

CVE-2016-2786 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Puppet Puppet Agent with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-20.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 7.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (72nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-20
Affected product: Puppet Puppet Agent
Published: 2016-06-10
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The pxp-agent component in Puppet Enterprise 2015.3.x before 2015.3.3 and Puppet Agent 1.3.x before 1.3.6 does not properly validate server certificates, which might allow remote attackers to spoof brokers and execute arbitrary commands via a crafted certificate.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-2786?: The pxp-agent component in Puppet Enterprise 2015.3.x before 2015.3.3 and Puppet Agent 1.3.x before 1.3.6 does not properly validate server certificates, which might allow remote attackers to spoof brokers and execute arbitrary commands via a crafted certificate.
How severe is CVE-2016-2786?: CVE-2016-2786 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2016-2786 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (72nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-2786?: CVE-2016-2786 primarily affects Puppet Puppet Agent. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-2786?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2016-2786 published?: CVE-2016-2786 was published on 2016-06-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (7)

cpe:2.3:a:puppet:puppet_agent:1.3.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:puppet:puppet_agent:1.3.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:puppet:puppet_agent:1.3.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:puppet:puppet_agent:1.3.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:puppet:puppet_agent:1.3.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:puppet:puppet_enterprise:2015.3.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:puppet:puppet_enterprise:2015.3.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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