The regression is introduced in 5.10 release, or more specifically, when talking to el5.10+ ricci. Due to oversimplification of a way to parse distro minor version, counting on never exceeding single digit... Patch to follow.
Created attachment 870126 [details] proposed patch
Created attachment 870457 [details] updated patch (using 1 as rstrip's "maxplit" is enough)
Thank you for submitting this request for inclusion in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5. We've carefully evaluated the request, but are unable to include it in the last planned RHEL5 minor release. This Bugzilla will soon be CLOSED as WONTFIX. To request that Red Hat re-consider this request, please re-open the bugzilla via appropriate support channels and provide additional business and/or technical details about its importance to you.
Since the problem described in this bug report should be resolved in a recent advisory, it has been closed with a resolution of ERRATA. For information on the advisory, and where to find the updated files, follow the link below. If the solution does not work for you, open a new bug report. http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2014-1194.html