CVE-2016-9587
CVE-2016-9587 is a high-severity vulnerability in Redhat Ansible with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 18% places it in the 97th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-20.
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.1)
- CVSS v2: 9.3
- EPSS exploit prediction: 18% (97th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-20
- Affected product: Redhat Ansible
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
Ansible before versions 2.1.4, 2.2.1 is vulnerable to an improper input validation in Ansible's handling of data sent from client systems. An attacker with control over a client system being managed by Ansible and the ability to send facts back to the Ansible server could use this flaw to execute arbitrary code on the Ansible server using the Ansible server privileges.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2016-9587?
- Ansible before versions 2.1.4, 2.2.1 is vulnerable to an improper input validation in Ansible's handling of data sent from client systems. An attacker with control over a client system being managed by Ansible and the ability to send facts back to the Ansible server could use this flaw to execute arbitrary code on the Ansible server using the Ansible server privileges.
- How severe is CVE-2016-9587?
- CVE-2016-9587 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.1, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2016-9587 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 18% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2016-9587?
- CVE-2016-9587 primarily affects Redhat Ansible. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2016-9587?
- 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-2016-9587 published?
- CVE-2016-9587 was published on 2018-04-24 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017-0195.html
- http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017-0260.html
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/95352
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:0448
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:0515
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2017:1685
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=CVE-2016-9587
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201701-77
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41013/
Affected products (3)
- cpe:2.3:a:redhat:ansible:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:ansible:ansible:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:redhat:openstack:11:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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- CVE-2014-3498 — High (CVSS 8.8): The user module in ansible before 1.6.6 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands.
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