CVE-2021-3197 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis
Learn about CVE-2021-3197, a critical vulnerability in SaltStack Salt's salt-api ssh client allowing shell injection. Find impact, affected systems, mitigation steps, and prevention measures.
An issue was discovered in SaltStack Salt before 3002.5. The salt-api's ssh client is vulnerable to a shell injection by including ProxyCommand in an argument, or via ssh_options provided in an API request.
Understanding CVE-2021-3197
This section will provide insights into the nature and impact of CVE-2021-3197.
What is CVE-2021-3197?
CVE-2021-3197 refers to a vulnerability in SaltStack Salt prior to version 3002.5, where the salt-api's ssh client can be exploited through shell injection using ProxyCommand or ssh_options in an API request.
The Impact of CVE-2021-3197
This vulnerability could allow attackers to execute arbitrary shell commands via the affected salt-api service, potentially leading to unauthorized access and further exploitation of the system.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-3197
In this section, the technical aspects of CVE-2021-3197 will be elaborated.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability arises due to improper input validation in the ssh client of the salt-api, enabling malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary shell commands.
Affected Systems and Versions
All versions of SaltStack Salt before 3002.5 are impacted by this vulnerability, posing a risk to systems utilizing the salt-api service.
Exploitation Mechanism
Exploitation of this vulnerability can be achieved by leveraging ProxyCommand in arguments or manipulating ssh_options within an API request to execute unauthorized shell commands.
Mitigation and Prevention
This section outlines the steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2021-3197.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users are advised to update SaltStack Salt to version 3002.5 or newer to address the vulnerability. Additionally, restricting access to the salt-api service can help mitigate the risk of exploitation.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implementing secure coding practices, conducting regular security audits, and monitoring for unusual activities are essential for maintaining the overall security posture of the system.
Patching and Updates
Regularly applying security patches and updates released by SaltStack is crucial to ensure that known vulnerabilities are addressed promptly and the system remains secure.