Vulnerability identifier: #VU27494

Vulnerability risk: Critical

CVSSv3.1: 9.4 [CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:H/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2020-11651

CWE-ID: CWE-287

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: Yes

Vulnerable software:
Salt
Web applications / Remote management & hosting panels

Vendor: SaltStack

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to bypass authentication process.

The vulnerability exists due to the salt-master process "ClearFuncs" class does not properly validate method calls. A remote non-authenticated attacker can bypass authentication process and gain access some methods without authentication. These methods can be used to retrieve user tokens from the salt master and/or run arbitrary commands on salt minion as root.

Note: this vulnerability is being actively exploited in the wild.

Mitigation
Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Salt: 2019.2 - 2019.2.3, 3000 - 3000.1

---

External links
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-04/msg00047.html
http://docs.saltstack.com/en/latest/topics/releases/2019.2.4.html
http://github.com/saltstack/salt/blob/v3000.2_docs/doc/topics/releases/3000.2.rst
http://labs.f-secure.com/advisories/saltstack-authorization-bypass

---

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

Yes. This vulnerability is being exploited in the wild.