CVE-2013-1640: The (1) template and (2) inline_template functions in the master server in Puppet before 2.6.18, 2.7.x before

Q: How do I fix CVE-2013-1640?

puppet: upgrade to 2.6.18, 2.7.21; puppet enterprise: upgrade to 1.2.7; ubuntu linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2013-1640 being exploited?

CVE-2013-1640 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2013-1640 affect?

CVE-2013-1640 affects puppet, puppet enterprise, ubuntu linux. Severity is high (CVSS 9.0). The (1) template and (2) inline_template functions in the master server in Puppet before 2.6.18, 2.7.x before 2.7.21, and 3.1.x before 3.1.1, and Puppet Enterprise before 1.2.7 and 2.7.x before 2.7.2 allows remote authenticated users to exe

Q: How urgent is CVE-2013-1640?

Priority 60/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited; On your watchlist

This week

HIGH 9.0WATCHLISTUPGRADEUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2013-1640 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 9.0) affecting puppet, puppet enterprise, ubuntu linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The (1) template and (2) inline_template functions in the master server in Puppet before 2.6.18, 2.7.x before 2.7.21, and 3.1.x before 3.1.1, and Puppet Enterprise before 1.2.7 and 2.7.x before 2.7.2 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code via a crafted catalog request.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.0 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	4.9% (top 8%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2013-03-20
Last modified	2026-06-16

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

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2013-03-20 16:55 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:51 UTCUpdated Record last modified

puppet puppet UPGRADE

Affected: < 2.6.18 · >= 2.7.0 and < 2.7.21 · 3.1.0

Fixed in: 2.6.18, 2.7.21

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.7.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 2.6.18 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade puppet

Note

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

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.7.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison puppet sudo apt install puppet=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.7.0> sudo apt-mark hold puppet

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list puppet sudo dnf downgrade puppet-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.7.0> 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.

puppet puppet enterprise UPGRADE

Affected: < 1.2.7 · 2.7.0 · 2.7.1

Fixed in: 1.2.7

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 1.2.7 (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.

canonical ubuntu linux MITIGATE

Affected: 11.10 · 12.04 · 12.10

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 11.10

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

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-2013-1640?

puppet: upgrade to 2.6.18, 2.7.21; puppet enterprise: upgrade to 1.2.7; ubuntu linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2013-1640 being exploited?

CVE-2013-1640 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-2013-1640 affect?

CVE-2013-1640 affects puppet, puppet enterprise, ubuntu linux. Severity is high (CVSS 9.0). The (1) template and (2) inline_template functions in the master server in Puppet before 2.6.18, 2.7.x before 2.7.21, and 3.1.x before 3.1.1, and Puppet Enterprise before 1.2.7 and 2.7.x before 2.7.2 allows remote authenticated users to exe

How urgent is CVE-2013-1640?

Priority 60/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited; On your watchlist

Software pages

Ubuntu vulnerabilities

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References

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