How severe is CVE-2016-5714?

CVE-2016-5714 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2016-5714 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (81st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-5714?

CVE-2016-5714 primarily affects Puppet Puppet Enterprise. In total, 6 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-5714?

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

When was CVE-2016-5714 published?

CVE-2016-5714 was published on 2017-10-18 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-5714

CVE-2016-5714 is a high-severity vulnerability in Puppet Puppet Enterprise with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2. 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-284.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.2)
CVSS v2: 6.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (81st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-284
Affected product: Puppet Puppet Enterprise
Published: 2017-10-18
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Puppet Enterprise 2015.3.3 and 2016.x before 2016.4.0, and Puppet Agent 1.3.6 through 1.7.0 allow remote attackers to bypass a host whitelist protection mechanism and execute arbitrary code on Puppet nodes via vectors related to command validation, aka "Puppet Execution Protocol (PXP) Command Whitelist Validation Vulnerability."

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-5714?: Puppet Enterprise 2015.3.3 and 2016.x before 2016.4.0, and Puppet Agent 1.3.6 through 1.7.0 allow remote attackers to bypass a host whitelist protection mechanism and execute arbitrary code on Puppet nodes via vectors related to command validation, aka "Puppet Execution Protocol (PXP) Command Whitelist Validation Vulnerability."
How severe is CVE-2016-5714?: CVE-2016-5714 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2016-5714 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (81st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-5714?: CVE-2016-5714 primarily affects Puppet Puppet Enterprise. In total, 6 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-5714?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2016-5714 published?: CVE-2016-5714 was published on 2017-10-18 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (6)

cpe:2.3:a:puppet:puppet_enterprise:2015.3.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:puppet:puppet_enterprise:2016.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:puppet:puppet_enterprise:2016.1.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:puppet:puppet_enterprise:2016.2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:puppet:puppet_enterprise:2016.2.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:puppet:puppet_agent:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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