CVE-2023-5255: For certificates that utilize the auto-renew feature in Puppet Server, a flaw exists which prevents the certif

Routine

MEDIUM 4.4DOWNGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2023-5255 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.4) affecting puppet enterprise, puppet server. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

For certificates that utilize the auto-renew feature in Puppet Server, a flaw exists which prevents the certificates from being revoked.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.4 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	High
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.5% (top 59%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-404
Published	2023-10-03
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

2023-10-03 18:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 06:48 UTCUpdated Record last modified

puppet puppet enterprise DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2023.3

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2023.3

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 2023.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison puppet-enterprise sudo apt install puppet-enterprise=<VERSION_BEFORE_2023.3> 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_2023.3> 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 puppet server DOWNGRADE

Affected: 8.2.0 · 8.2.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.2.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 8.2.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison puppet-server sudo apt install puppet-server=<VERSION_BEFORE_8.2.0> sudo apt-mark hold puppet-server

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

dnf --showduplicates list puppet-server sudo dnf downgrade puppet-server-<VERSION_BEFORE_8.2.0> sudo dnf versionlock add puppet-server

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-2023-5255?

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

Is CVE-2023-5255 being exploited?

CVE-2023-5255 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-2023-5255 affect?

CVE-2023-5255 affects puppet enterprise, puppet server. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.4). For certificates that utilize the auto-renew feature in Puppet Server, a flaw exists which prevents the certificates from being revoked.

How urgent is CVE-2023-5255?

Priority 26/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Related CVEs

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References

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