Remote command execution via the salt-api NET API in SaltStack Salt

1) OS Command Injection

EUVDB-ID: #VU27599

Risk: High

CVSSv4.0: 8.1 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Amber]

CVE-ID: CVE-2019-17361

CWE-ID: CWE-78 - Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary shell commands on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to improper input validation the salt-api NET API with the ssh client enabled. A remote unauthenticated attacker with network access to the API endpoint can pass specially crafted data to the application and execute arbitrary OS commands on the salt-api host.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in complete compromise of vulnerable system.

Mitigation

Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Salt: 2014.1 - 2019.2.2

CPE2.3

• cpe:2.3:a:saltstack:salt:2014.7.9:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:saltstack:salt:2015.8.13:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:saltstack:salt:2016.11.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:saltstack:salt:2017.7.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:saltstack:salt:2018.11:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:saltstack:salt:2019.2.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

External links

https://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-03/msg00026.html
https://docs.saltstack.com/en/latest/topics/releases/2019.2.3.html#security-fix
https://github.com/saltstack/salt/commits/master

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?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.