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CVE Record

CVE-2018-6516: On Windows only, with a specifically crafted configuration file an attacker could get Puppet PE client tool...

On Windows only, with a specifically crafted configuration file an attacker could get Puppet PE client tools (aka pe-client-tools) 16.4.x prior to 16.4.6, 17.3.x prior to 17.3.6, and 18.1.x prior to 18.1.2 to load arbitrary code with privilege escalation.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This affects Puppet Enterprise client tools on Windows. If an attacker can introduce a specially crafted configuration file, the tools may load attacker-controlled code and escalate privileges. The practical urgency depends on whether vulnerable pe-client-tools versions remain installed on Windows systems.

Executive priority

Treat as high priority where Puppet Enterprise tools are installed on Windows, especially on privileged administration systems. If affected versions are absent, business urgency is low.

Technical view

CVE-2018-6516 is a Windows-only arbitrary code loading and privilege escalation issue in Puppet pe-client-tools 16.4.x before 16.4.6, 17.3.x before 17.3.6, and 18.1.x before 18.1.2. The source bundle provides no CVSS, CWE, or detailed root-cause data.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to Windows systems with Puppet pe-client-tools in the affected version ranges. Linux or non-Windows deployments are not identified as affected in the provided sources.

Exploitation context

The bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or other evidence of active exploitation. Exploitation requires a specifically crafted configuration file, but the sources do not describe required access level or real-world attack prevalence.

Researcher notes

Key gaps: no CVSS vector, CWE, exploit details, or vendor mitigation text beyond affected fixed version boundaries in the provided bundle. Do not infer broader Puppet product exposure beyond pe-client-tools on Windows.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade affected pe-client-tools to 16.4.6, 17.3.6, 18.1.2, or later.
  • Prioritize Windows administrative workstations and automation hosts using Puppet Enterprise tools.
  • Restrict who can modify Puppet client tool configuration files on Windows systems.
  • Check Puppet's advisory for any additional vendor-specific remediation guidance.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Windows systems for installed Puppet pe-client-tools versions.
  • Flag 16.4.x before 16.4.6, 17.3.x before 17.3.6, and 18.1.x before 18.1.2.
  • Confirm upgraded systems report a fixed or later pe-client-tools version.
  • Review permissions on relevant Puppet configuration paths for unauthorized write access.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
3

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

description · low confidence lookup

Execution behavior lookup

The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

Open ATT&CK lookup
description · low confidence lookup

Privilege behavior lookup

The CVE wording references privilege impact, so privilege escalation and authorization behavior review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

Open ATT&CK lookup
cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2018-6516 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
2Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
Puppetpe-client-tools16.4.x prior to 16.4.6, 17.3.x prior to 17.3.6, 18.1.x prior to 18.1.2Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.