How severe is CVE-2016-5716?

CVE-2016-5716 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2016-5716 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (76th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2016-5716?

CVE-2016-5716 primarily affects Puppet Puppet Enterprise. In total, 12 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2016-5716?

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-2016-5716 published?

CVE-2016-5716 was published on 2017-08-09 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2016-5716

CVE-2016-5716 is a high-severity vulnerability in Puppet Puppet Enterprise with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8. 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-134.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.8)
CVSS v2: 6.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (76th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-134
Affected product: Puppet Puppet Enterprise
Published: 2017-08-09
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The console in Puppet Enterprise 2015.x and 2016.x prior to 2016.4.0 includes unsafe string reads that potentially allows for remote code execution on the console node.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2016-5716?: The console in Puppet Enterprise 2015.x and 2016.x prior to 2016.4.0 includes unsafe string reads that potentially allows for remote code execution on the console node.
How severe is CVE-2016-5716?: CVE-2016-5716 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2016-5716 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (76th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2016-5716?: CVE-2016-5716 primarily affects Puppet Puppet Enterprise. In total, 12 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2016-5716?: 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-2016-5716 published?: CVE-2016-5716 was published on 2017-08-09 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://puppet.com/security/cve/pe-console-oct-2016

Affected products (12)

cpe:2.3:a:puppet:puppet_enterprise:2015.2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:puppet:puppet_enterprise:2015.2.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:puppet:puppet_enterprise:2015.2.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:puppet:puppet_enterprise:2015.2.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:puppet:puppet_enterprise:2015.3.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:puppet:puppet_enterprise:2015.3.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:puppet:puppet_enterprise:2015.3.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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