CVE-2020-11651 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

SaltStack Salt before 2019.2.4 and 3000 before 3000.2 allows unauthorized access to certain methods, potentially leading to remote code execution.

Understanding CVE-2020-11651

An issue in SaltStack Salt versions before 2019.2.4 and 3000 before 3000.2 exposes a vulnerability that could be exploited by remote attackers.

What is CVE-2020-11651?

The salt-master process ClearFuncs class fails to adequately validate method calls, enabling remote users to access specific methods without authentication. This could result in the retrieval of user tokens from the salt master and execution of arbitrary commands on salt minions.

The Impact of CVE-2020-11651

The vulnerability allows unauthorized users to exploit the salt-master process, potentially compromising the integrity and security of the SaltStack environment.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-11651

This section provides in-depth technical insights into the CVE-2020-11651 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The salt-master process ClearFuncs class lacks proper validation of method calls, enabling unauthorized access to critical functions.

Affected Systems and Versions

SaltStack Salt versions before 2019.2.4
SaltStack Salt versions before 3000.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Remote users can access specific methods without authentication
Unauthorized retrieval of user tokens
Execution of arbitrary commands on salt minions

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2020-11651 with these mitigation strategies.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade SaltStack Salt to version 2019.2.4 or 3000.2
Implement network segmentation to restrict access
Monitor and audit salt-master and salt minion activities

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch SaltStack Salt installations
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing
Educate users on secure coding practices

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly
Stay informed about SaltStack security advisories and updates