← gociux.comall exploited CVEs

Exploited vulnerability · CISA KEV

Is CVE-2020-16846 exploited? Yes: in CISA KEV since 3 Nov 2021

Gociux · SaltStack Salt · data: CISA KEV, CVE record, FIRST EPSS

Yes. CVE-2020-16846, SaltStack Salt Shell Injection Vulnerability, is being exploited in the wild. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 3 Nov 2021, 362 days after it was published. It affects SaltStack Salt. If you run it, CISA's required action is: Apply updates per vendor instructions.

exploitedYesCISA KEV · 3 Nov 2021
ransomwareNot knownno confirmed use
EPSStop 1%among the most likely CVEs to be exploited
severity9.8CVSS 3.1 · critical
US federal due3 May 2022BOD 22-01 deadline

What it is

SaltStack Salt allows an unauthenticated user with network access to the Salt API to use shell injections to run code on the Salt API using the SSH client. This vulnerability affects any users running the Salt API.

VendorSaltStack (3 exploited CVEs in KEV)
ProductSalt
VulnerabilitySaltStack Salt Shell Injection Vulnerability
WeaknessCWE-78
Published6 Nov 2020
Added to KEV3 Nov 2021
Reported by (CNA)mitre

What to do

  1. Check whether you run it. Look for Salt in your asset inventory, including appliances and cloud images. Stack check lists every exploited SaltStack CVE at once.
  2. Apply the fix. Apply updates per vendor instructions.
  3. If you can't patch today, take the affected service off the internet or restrict who can reach it, and check its logs for signs of compromise since 6 Nov 2020.
  4. Get told next time. Email alerts when CISA adds a CVE for SaltStack.

Other exploited CVEs in Salt

References

Questions

Is CVE-2020-16846 being exploited?

Yes. CISA added CVE-2020-16846 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 3 Nov 2021, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild.

Is CVE-2020-16846 used in ransomware attacks?

CISA does not list known ransomware use for it. That can change, and exploitation alone is reason to fix it first.

How do I fix CVE-2020-16846?

Apply updates per vendor instructions. Check SaltStack's advisory for the fixed versions, and if you can't patch quickly, restrict access to the affected Salt and watch it for signs of compromise.

Sources: CISA KEV (exploitation, ransomware use, required action, due date), the CVE record (publication date, CVSS, CNA), NVD and FIRST EPSS (live score). More: all KEV additions in November 2021 · SaltStack scorecard · act-now radar.

Running SaltStack in a regulated environment?

We check exposure across your estate, patch or mitigate with your team, and set up detection for what attackers do after exploiting it.

Get in touch →