CVE-2020-7942: Previously, Puppet operated on a model that a node with a valid certificate was entitled to all information in

Routine

MEDIUM 6.5UPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2020-7942 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.5) affecting puppet, puppet agent. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Previously, Puppet operated on a model that a node with a valid certificate was entitled to all information in the system and that a compromised certificate allowed access to everything in the infrastructure. When a node's catalog falls back to the `default` node, the catalog can be retrieved for a different node by modifying facts for the Puppet run. This issue can be mitigated by setting `strict_hostname_checking = true` in `puppet.conf` on you

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.8% (top 43%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-295
Published	2020-02-19
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Perforce · Vendor: puppet

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-02-19 21:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:25 UTCUpdated Record last modified

puppet puppet UPGRADE

Affected: >= 5.5.0 and < 5.5.19 · >= 6.0.0 and < 6.13.0

Fixed in: 5.5.19, 6.13.0

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.5.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 5.5.19 (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 5.5.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison puppet sudo apt install puppet=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.5.0> 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_5.5.0> 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.

puppet puppet agent UPGRADE

Affected: >= 5.5.0 and < 5.5.19 · >= 6.0.0 and < 6.13.0

Fixed in: 5.5.19, 6.13.0

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.5.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 5.5.19 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade puppet-agent

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 5.5.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison puppet-agent sudo apt install puppet-agent=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.5.0> sudo apt-mark hold puppet-agent

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

dnf --showduplicates list puppet-agent sudo dnf downgrade puppet-agent-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.5.0> sudo dnf versionlock add puppet-agent

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-2020-7942?

puppet: upgrade to 5.5.19, 6.13.0; puppet agent: upgrade to 5.5.19, 6.13.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-7942 being exploited?

CVE-2020-7942 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-2020-7942 affect?

CVE-2020-7942 affects puppet, puppet agent. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). Previously, Puppet operated on a model that a node with a valid certificate was entitled to all information in the system and that a compromised certificate allowed access to everything in the infrastructure. When a node's catalog falls bac

How urgent is CVE-2020-7942?

Priority 37/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

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References

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