CVE-2020-7943 : Security Advisory and Response

Puppet Server and PuppetDB provide useful performance and debugging information via their metrics API endpoints. This CVE addresses a vulnerability where sensitive information could be exposed through these endpoints. The issue has been resolved in specific versions of Puppet Enterprise, Puppet Server, and PuppetDB.

Understanding CVE-2020-7943

This CVE relates to the exposure of potentially sensitive information through metrics API endpoints in Puppet Server and PuppetDB.

What is CVE-2020-7943?

CVE-2020-7943 highlights a security flaw in Puppet Server and PuppetDB that could allow unauthorized access to sensitive data through their metrics API endpoints.

The Impact of CVE-2020-7943

The vulnerability could lead to the exposure of sensitive information, such as hostnames, resource names, titles, function names, and class names, through the metrics API endpoints of Puppet Server and PuppetDB.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-7943

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The metrics API endpoints in Puppet Server and PuppetDB could potentially expose sensitive information to unauthorized users.

Affected Systems and Versions

Puppet Enterprise 2018.1.x stream prior to 2018.1.13
Puppet Enterprise prior to 2019.5.0
Puppet Server prior to 6.9.2 and 5.3.12
PuppetDB prior to 6.9.1 and 5.2.13

Exploitation Mechanism

Unauthorized users could exploit the vulnerability by accessing the metrics API endpoints of Puppet Server and PuppetDB.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-7943, follow these mitigation steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Puppet Enterprise to version 2018.1.13 or later
Upgrade Puppet Server to version 6.9.2 or later
Upgrade PuppetDB to version 6.9.1 or later

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and restrict access to API endpoints
Implement network segmentation to limit exposure of sensitive data

Patching and Updates

Apply the necessary patches provided by Puppet for Puppet Enterprise, Puppet Server, and PuppetDB to mitigate the vulnerability.