CVE-2021-3148 : Security Advisory and Response

An issue was discovered in SaltStack Salt before version 3002.5, where sending crafted web requests to the Salt API can result in command injection due to different handling of single versus double quotes in salt.utils.thin.gen_thin(). This vulnerability is related to salt/utils/thin.py.

Understanding CVE-2021-3148

This section will provide insights into the nature and impact of CVE-2021-3148.

What is CVE-2021-3148?

CVE-2021-3148 is a security vulnerability found in SaltStack Salt that allows attackers to execute commands via crafted web requests to the Salt API.

The Impact of CVE-2021-3148

The vulnerability can lead to command injection, enabling malicious actors to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems, potentially resulting in unauthorized access and data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-3148

In this section, we will delve into the specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the inconsistent handling of single and double quotes in the salt.utils.thin.gen_thin() function, allowing for command injection through specially crafted web requests.

Affected Systems and Versions

All versions of SaltStack Salt before 3002.5 are affected by this vulnerability, potentially impacting systems that utilize the Salt API.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending maliciously crafted web requests containing specially formatted quotes to the Salt API, triggering the command injection flaw.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section discusses the steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2021-3148.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update SaltStack Salt to version 3002.5 or later to remediate the vulnerability. Restricting access to the Salt API and implementing network-level protections can also help mitigate risk.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, organizations should regularly update their software components, conduct security assessments, and educate personnel on secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and patches released by SaltStack to address known vulnerabilities. Regularly applying updates and security patches is crucial to ensuring the security of systems and data.