CVE-2012-5158: Puppet Enterprise (PE) before 2.6.1 does not properly invalidate sessions when the session secret has changed,

Routine

MEDIUM 4.0UPGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2012-5158 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.0) affecting puppet enterprise, puppet. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Puppet Enterprise (PE) before 2.6.1 does not properly invalidate sessions when the session secret has changed, which allows remote authenticated users to retain access via unspecified vectors.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	0.8% (top 43%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-287
Published	2014-03-14
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: puppet · puppetlabs

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2014-03-14 16:55 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:46 UTCUpdated Record last modified

puppet puppet enterprise UPGRADE

Affected: <= 2.6.0 · 2.0.0 · 2.5.1 · 2.5.2

Fixed in: newer than 2.6.0

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy puppet-enterprise || rpm -q puppet-enterprise || puppet-enterprise --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 2.6.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade puppet-enterprise

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade puppet-enterprise

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

puppetlabs puppet DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.5.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.5.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy puppet || rpm -q puppet || puppet --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.5.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison puppet sudo apt install puppet=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.5.0> sudo apt-mark hold puppet

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list puppet sudo dnf downgrade puppet-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.5.0> sudo dnf versionlock add puppet

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2012-5158?

puppet enterprise: upgrade to newer than 2.6.0; puppet: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2012-5158 being exploited?

CVE-2012-5158 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2012-5158 affect?

CVE-2012-5158 affects puppet enterprise, puppet. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.0). Puppet Enterprise (PE) before 2.6.1 does not properly invalidate sessions when the session secret has changed, which allows remote authenticated users to retain access via unspecified vectors.

How urgent is CVE-2012-5158?

Priority 28/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

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References

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