CVE-2020-16846 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An issue was discovered in SaltStack Salt through 3002. Sending crafted web requests to the Salt API, with the SSH client enabled, can result in shell injection.

Understanding CVE-2020-16846

This CVE involves a vulnerability in SaltStack Salt that could lead to shell injection when specific web requests are sent to the Salt API.

What is CVE-2020-16846?

SaltStack Salt through version 3002 is susceptible to shell injection when manipulated web requests are directed at the Salt API with the SSH client enabled.

The Impact of CVE-2020-16846

The vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the target system, potentially leading to unauthorized access or data compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-16846

SaltStack Salt through version 3002 is affected by this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Crafted web requests to the Salt API, with the SSH client enabled, can trigger shell injection, enabling unauthorized command execution.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: SaltStack Salt
Vendor: SaltStack
Versions affected: All versions up to 3002

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is exploited by sending specially crafted web requests to the Salt API while having the SSH client enabled, allowing for shell injection.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate action to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2020-16846.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable the SSH client in the Salt API configuration if not required.
Implement network segmentation to limit access to the Salt API.
Monitor and analyze Salt API traffic for any suspicious activity.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update SaltStack Salt to the latest version to patch known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address any weaknesses in the system.

Patching and Updates

Apply the necessary security updates provided by SaltStack to address the CVE-2020-16846 vulnerability.