SaltStack flaws being used in attacks

CISA lists 3 flaws in SaltStack products as being used in attacks, most recently on 3 Nov 2021.

What to do

1. Update every SaltStack product you use.Install the updates SaltStack offers, on every device, and restart when asked. Each flaw below has a fix or clear advice; that’s one of CISA’s conditions for listing it.
2. If someone looks after IT for you, send them this page.Many of these are in equipment you don’t see: routers, firewalls, servers, the office network. Ask them to confirm each one is fixed, or that you don’t use the product.
3. Check anything else in the lookup.Search any app, company or CVE. Not being on CISA’s list doesn’t mean safe: keep updating either way.

Every flaw, newest first

1. Being used in attacksAdded by CISA on 3 Nov 2021
   SaltStack Salt
   CVE-2020-16846SaltStack Salt Shell Injection Vulnerability
   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.
   CISA’s required actionApply updates per vendor instructions.
   CVE recordNVD
2. Being used in attacksAdded by CISA on 3 Nov 2021
   SaltStack Salt
   CVE-2020-11652SaltStack Salt Path Traversal Vulnerability
   SaltStack Salt contains a path traversal vulnerability in the salt-master process ClearFuncs which allows directory access to authenticated users. Salt users who follow fundamental internet security guidelines and best practices are not affected by this vulnerability.
   CISA’s required actionApply updates per vendor instructions.
   CVE recordNVD
3. Being used in attacksAdded by CISA on 3 Nov 2021
   SaltStack Salt
   CVE-2020-11651SaltStack Salt Authentication Bypass Vulnerability
   SaltStack Salt contains an authentication bypass vulnerability in the salt-master process ClearFuncs due to improperly validating method calls. The vulnerability allows a remote user to access some methods without authentication, which can be used to retrieve user tokens from the salt master and/or run commands on salt minions. Salt users who follow fundamental internet security guidelines and best practices are not affected by this vulnerability.
   CISA’s required actionApply updates per vendor instructions.
   CVE recordNVD

From CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, updated 21 Oct 2026 (version 2026.10.21). CISA’s required actions are written for US government agencies. SaltStack on CISA’s site.