CVE-2017-10689: In previous versions of Puppet Agent it was possible to install a module with world writable permissions

Routine

MEDIUM 5.5WATCHLISTUPGRADEUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2017-10689 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting puppet, puppet enterprise, ubuntu linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

In previous versions of Puppet Agent it was possible to install a module with world writable permissions. Puppet Agent 5.3.4 and 1.10.10 included a fix to this vulnerability.

Why this priority

On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 71%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-269
Published	2018-02-09
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Perforce · Vendor: canonical · puppet · redhat

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-02-09 20:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:00 UTCUpdated Record last modified

puppet puppet UPGRADE

Affected: < 5.3.4 · >= 1.10.0 and < 1.10.10

Fixed in: 1.10.10, 5.3.4

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.10.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 1.10.10 (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 1.10.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison puppet sudo apt install puppet=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.10.0> 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_1.10.0> 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: < 2016.4.10 · >= 2017.1.0 and < 2017.3.4

Fixed in: 2016.4.10, 2017.3.4

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2017.1.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 2016.4.10 (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.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 2017.1.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison puppet-enterprise sudo apt install puppet-enterprise=<VERSION_BEFORE_2017.1.0> sudo apt-mark hold puppet-enterprise

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

dnf --showduplicates list puppet-enterprise sudo dnf downgrade puppet-enterprise-<VERSION_BEFORE_2017.1.0> 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.

canonical ubuntu linux MITIGATE

Affected: 14.04

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 14.04

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.

redhat satellite DOWNGRADE

Affected: 6.4

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.4

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 6.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison satellite sudo apt install satellite=<VERSION_BEFORE_6.4> sudo apt-mark hold satellite

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

dnf --showduplicates list satellite sudo dnf downgrade satellite-<VERSION_BEFORE_6.4> sudo dnf versionlock add satellite

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-2017-10689?

puppet: upgrade to 1.10.10, 5.3.4; puppet enterprise: upgrade to 2016.4.10, 2017.3.4; ubuntu linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2017-10689 being exploited?

CVE-2017-10689 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-2017-10689 affect?

CVE-2017-10689 affects puppet, puppet enterprise, ubuntu linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). In previous versions of Puppet Agent it was possible to install a module with world writable permissions. Puppet Agent 5.3.4 and 1.10.10 included a fix to this vulnerability.

How urgent is CVE-2017-10689?

Priority 32/100. On your watchlist

Software pages

Ubuntu vulnerabilities

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References

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