CVE-2023-5214: Puppet Bolt privilege escalation vulnerability

bolt Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

06/10/2023
Yes i
Critical
9.8

CVE-2023-5214: Puppet Bolt privilege escalation vulnerability. Affects bolt versions < 3.27.4. Fixed in 3.27.4. How to fix ↓

Free scan

Check if this vulnerability affects your application

Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.

Check my app free

No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds

Upload your dependency manifest or SBOM

Drag & drop your file here or

Java Javascript PHP Python Go Rust Ruby Dart C/C++ Elixir CycloneDX SPDX

Upload a supported dependency manifest or SBOM. No installation or source-code access required.

See supported files and SBOM formats
SBOM sbom.json · bom.json · bom.xml · *.spdx.json · *.cdx.json · *.cdx.xml
Java pom.xml · gradle.lockfile · buildscript-gradle.lockfile
Javascript package-lock.json · yarn.lock · pnpm-lock.yaml
PHP composer.lock
Python poetry.lock · requirements.txt · Pipfile.lock
Go go.mod
Rust Cargo.lock
Ruby Gemfile.lock
Dart pubspec.lock
C/C++ conan.lock
Elixir mix.lock
Enter your work email to receive your report link.

Verify your email to view the full report and start 30 days of continuous monitoring. No credit card required.

Sponsored Devnack Penetration testing for web, API and mobile Manual testing by engineers who build software, not an auditor's checklist. Trusted by teams at Swift and Google Talk to Devnack

Background

Puppet Bolt is a RubyGems package that provides a command-line interface for executing commands, scripts, and tasks across a network of remote systems. It is commonly used for automation and orchestration purposes. However, versions prior to 3.27.4 are susceptible to a privilege escalation vulnerability.

Vulnerability Detail

The identified vulnerability in Puppet Bolt allows for the escalation of privileges. This means that an attacker with limited privileges can exploit a specific path to gain elevated access and perform unauthorized actions. The impact of this vulnerability can range from unauthorized access to sensitive information to the execution of malicious commands with elevated privileges.

How To Fix

Latest published version: 4.0.0 as of 22 Oct 2026

gem install bolt -v 4.0.0

Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the version below is the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.

If you need the minimum change

3.27.4

This is the first release that contains the fix.

gem install bolt -v 3.27.4

Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →

Workaround

Currently, there is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is crucial to update to the latest version of Puppet Bolt to address the issue effectively.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Puppet Bolt privilege escalation vulnerability (CVE-2023-5214) poses a risk of unauthorized access and malicious actions. It is essential to update to version 3.27.4 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. For further support and assistance in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.

See every vulnerability recorded for bolt →

Share this vulnerability

FAQ

Puppet Bolt is a RubyGems package that provides a command-line interface for executing commands, scripts, and tasks across a network of remote systems. It is commonly used for automation and orchestration purposes.

The vulnerability allows for privilege escalation, enabling an attacker to gain elevated access and perform unauthorized actions. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information or the execution of malicious commands with elevated privileges.

To fix this vulnerability, update Puppet Bolt to version 3.27.4 or later. This update includes the necessary patches and security enhancements to mitigate the privilege escalation vulnerability.

Currently, there is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is crucial to update to the latest version of Puppet Bolt to address the issue effectively.

For more information about this vulnerability, refer to the official advisory provided by the Puppet project.

Related vulnerabilities

Recent vulnerabilities recorded for bolt.

How To Fix

Latest published version: 4.0.0 as of 22 Oct 2026

gem install bolt -v 4.0.0

Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the version below is the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.

If you need the minimum change

3.27.4

This is the first release that contains the fix.

gem install bolt -v 3.27.4

Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →

Subscribe to Vulert on Telegram
Daily digest of new CVEs, critical and high severity, affected packages and fixes — plus a weekly roundup.
Join the channel →
Help improve this record
Report an issue or send feedback