CVE-2013-4956: Puppet Module Tool (PMT), as used in Puppet 2.7.x before 2.7.23 and 3.2.x before 3.2.4, and Puppet Enterprise

Routine

LOW 3.6DOWNGRADEDOWNGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2013-4956 is a low-severity flaw (CVSS 3.6) affecting puppet, puppet enterprise, puppet. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Puppet Module Tool (PMT), as used in Puppet 2.7.x before 2.7.23 and 3.2.x before 3.2.4, and Puppet Enterprise 2.8.x before 2.8.3 and 3.0.x before 3.0.1, installs modules with weak permissions if those permissions were used when the modules were originally built, which might allow local users to read or modify those modules depending on the original permissions.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	3.6 (Low)
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 68%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-264
Published	2013-08-20
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

2013-08-20 22:55 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:58 UTCUpdated Record last modified

puppet puppet DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.7.2 · 2.7.3 · 2.7.4 · 2.7.5 · 2.7.6 · 2.7.7 · 2.7.8 · 2.7.9

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.7.2

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.7.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison puppet sudo apt install puppet=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.7.2> sudo apt-mark hold puppet

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

dnf --showduplicates list puppet sudo dnf downgrade puppet-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.7.2> 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 DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.8.0 · 2.8.1 · 2.8.2 · 3.0.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.8.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.8.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison puppet-enterprise sudo apt install puppet-enterprise=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.8.0> sudo apt-mark hold puppet-enterprise

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

dnf --showduplicates list puppet-enterprise sudo dnf downgrade puppet-enterprise-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.8.0> sudo dnf versionlock add puppet-enterprise

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.

puppetlabs puppet DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.7.0 · 2.7.1 · 3.2.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.7.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: 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

2. No fixed release: 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.

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-2013-4956?

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

Is CVE-2013-4956 being exploited?

CVE-2013-4956 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-2013-4956 affect?

CVE-2013-4956 affects puppet, puppet enterprise, puppet. Severity is low (CVSS 3.6). Puppet Module Tool (PMT), as used in Puppet 2.7.x before 2.7.23 and 3.2.x before 3.2.4, and Puppet Enterprise 2.8.x before 2.8.3 and 3.0.x before 3.0.1, installs modules with weak permissions if those permissions were used when the modules

How urgent is CVE-2013-4956?

Priority 21/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

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References

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