#VU27495 Path traversal in Salt - CVE-2020-11652

Vulnerability identifier: #VU27495

Vulnerability risk: Medium

CVSSv4.0: 7.1 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:A/U:Green]

CVE-ID: CVE-2020-11652

CWE-ID: CWE-22

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 perform directory traversal attacks.

The vulnerability exists due to input validation error when processing directory traversal sequences in the salt-master process ClearFuncs class. A remote authenticated attacker can send a specially crafted HTTP request and read arbitrary files on the system.

Mitigation
Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Salt: 2019.2 - 2019.2.3, 3000 - 3000.1

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

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote authenticated user via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

Yes. This vulnerability is being exploited in the wild.