CVE-2016-9587: Ansible before versions 2.1.4, 2.2.1 is vulnerable to an improper input validation in Ansible's handling of da

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HIGH 8.1REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEUPGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2016-9587 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.1) affecting ansible, ansible, openstack. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

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.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.1 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	17.1% (top 3%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-20
Published	2018-04-24
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: ansible · redhat

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-04-24 16:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:56 UTCUpdated Record last modified

redhat ansible UPGRADE

Affected: < 2.1.4

Fixed in: 2.1.4

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 2.1.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade ansible

Note

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

ansible ansible UPGRADE

Affected: < 2.2.1

Fixed in: 2.2.1

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 2.2.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade ansible

Note

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

redhat openstack DOWNGRADE

Affected: 11

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 11

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 11 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison openstack sudo apt install openstack=<VERSION_BEFORE_11> sudo apt-mark hold openstack

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

dnf --showduplicates list openstack sudo dnf downgrade openstack-<VERSION_BEFORE_11> sudo dnf versionlock add openstack

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.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: Ansible 2.1.4/2.2.1 - Command Execution

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-2016-9587?

ansible: upgrade to 2.1.4; ansible: upgrade to 2.2.1; openstack: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2016-9587 being exploited?

CVE-2016-9587 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-2016-9587 affect?

CVE-2016-9587 affects ansible, ansible, openstack. Severity is high (CVSS 8.1). 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

How urgent is CVE-2016-9587?

Priority 68/100. High severity; EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Ansible vulnerabilities · OpenStack vulnerabilities

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References

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