IRONSMITHINTEL
MEDIUMCVSS6.5
|
Actively Exploited
|CISA KEV|CVE-2020-11652|Auth: low — authenticated user|Reboot: required|Manual only

SaltStack Salt Path Traversal Vulnerability

SaltStack Salt contains a path traversal vulnerability in the salt-master process ClearFuncs which allows directory access to authenticated users. Salt users who follow fundamental internet security guidelines and best practices are not affected by this vulnerability.

Published Apr 30, 2020 · Updated May 16, 2026
Why patchRisk explained in plain English
Worst-case scenarioIf unpatched

A remote attacker, with a low-privilege account, can achieve full data confidentiality loss. Federal agencies are required to remediate by 2022-05-03 under CISA BOD 22-01.

How the attack worksNo clicks needed

This is a Path Traversal (CWE-22) vulnerability in SaltStack Salt. An issue was discovered in SaltStack Salt before 2019.2.4 and 3000 before 3000.2. The salt-master process ClearFuncs class allows access to some methods that improperly sanitize paths. These methods allow arbitrary directory access to authenticated users. Exploitation requires remote network access, low attack complexity, a low-privilege authenticated account, and no user interaction required.

Am I affected?Quick check

Probably yes if any of these apply:

IT Security
Running salt: v < 2019.2.4, 3000 ≤ v < 3000.2; leap: 15.1; debian linux: 8.0, 9.0, 10.0; ubuntu linux: 16.04, 18.04; workspaces server: v ≤ 7.1.3, 8.0.0 ≤ v ≤ 8.2.6, 9.1.0; application remote collector: 7.5.0, 8.0.0
Real-world incidentsWhat we've seen

Active exploitation documented in the wild. Threat-research write-up: http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/157678/SaltStack-Salt-Master-Minion-Unauthenticated-Remote-Code-Execution.html

How to patch

Manual remediation steps

Apply the Vendor Patch

This vulnerability is in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog — apply the vendor's security update as soon as possible.

CISA required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

References

    1
    Vendor advisory: https://docs.saltstack.com/en/latest/topics/releases/2019.2.4.html
    1
    NVD entry: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-11652
    1
    CISA KEV: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-11652
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