Free and open · new CVEs checked every 20 minutesStatusRSSOpen dataContact

CVE-2021-27021: A flaw was discovered in Puppet DB, this flaw results in an escalation of privileges which allows the user to

48
This month
HIGH 8.8UPGRADEUPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2021-27021 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affecting puppet, puppet enterprise, puppetdb. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A flaw was discovered in Puppet DB, this flaw results in an escalation of privileges which allows the user to delete tables via an SQL query.

Why this priority

  • High severity

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score8.8 (High)
Attack vectorNetwork (remote)
Attack complexityLow
Privileges neededLow
User interactionNone
EPSS exploit chance1.3% (top 30%)
CISA exploited listNo
WeaknessCWE-1027, CWE-89
Published2021-07-20
Last modified2026-06-17
Publisher (CNA): Perforce · Vendor: puppet

Share: LinkedIn · X · Reddit

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

puppet puppet UPGRADE
Affected: < 6.23.0 · >= 7.7.0 and < 7.8.0
Fixed in: 6.23.0, 7.8.0
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.7.0
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy puppet || rpm -q puppet || puppet --version
2. UPGRADE to 6.23.0 (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 7.7.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison puppet sudo apt install puppet=<VERSION_BEFORE_7.7.0> 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_7.7.0> 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: < 2019.8.7 · >= 2021.0.0 and < 2021.2.0
Fixed in: 2019.8.7, 2021.2.0
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2021.0.0
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy puppet-enterprise || rpm -q puppet-enterprise || puppet-enterprise --version
2. UPGRADE to 2019.8.7 (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.
3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 2021.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison puppet-enterprise sudo apt install puppet-enterprise=<VERSION_BEFORE_2021.0.0> 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_2021.0.0> 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.
puppet puppetdb UPGRADE
Affected: < 6.17.0 · >= 7.0.0 and < 7.4.1
Fixed in: 6.17.0, 7.4.1
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0.0
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy puppetdb || rpm -q puppetdb || puppetdb --version
2. UPGRADE to 6.17.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade puppetdb
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade puppetdb
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 7.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison puppetdb sudo apt install puppetdb=<VERSION_BEFORE_7.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold puppetdb
3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list puppetdb sudo dnf downgrade puppetdb-<VERSION_BEFORE_7.0.0> sudo dnf versionlock add puppetdb
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-2021-27021?

puppet: upgrade to 6.23.0, 7.8.0; puppet enterprise: upgrade to 2019.8.7, 2021.2.0; puppetdb: upgrade to 6.17.0, 7.4.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-27021 being exploited?

CVE-2021-27021 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-2021-27021 affect?

CVE-2021-27021 affects puppet, puppet enterprise, puppetdb. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). A flaw was discovered in Puppet DB, this flaw results in an escalation of privileges which allows the user to delete tables via an SQL query.

How urgent is CVE-2021-27021?

Priority 48/100. High severity

Related CVEs

References

← Back to latest CVEs

Get the weekly exploited-CVE digest by emailThe CVEs being attacked this week and how to fix them. No spam, unsubscribe any time.