# CVE-2013-4438: Code injection in n/a

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary YAML code in SaltStack, potentially leading to full system compromise.

- **Severity:** High 7.5 (`AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not stated
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 5 Nov 2013
- **Updated:** 17 Sep 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-j8fm-j268-rq9p, PYSEC-2013-13

## What is CVE-2013-4438?

CVE-2013-4438 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in Saltstack Salt, published on 5 Nov 2013. It can be exploited over the network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Salt (aka SaltStack) before 0.17.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary YAML code via unspecified vectors.  NOTE: the vendor states that this might not be a vulnerability because the YAML to be loaded has already been determined to be safe.

Weakness: CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2013-4438?

1 open source package ship an affected version, including salt. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `salt` | PyPI | All versions | 0.17.1 |

Products: Saltstack Salt.

## How do I fix CVE-2013-4438?

Upgrade salt to 0.17.1 or later.

## Is CVE-2013-4438 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2013-4438 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Saltstack Salt

- [CVE-2013-4437](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2013-4437/): SaltStack insecurely uses /tmp (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2013-6617](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2013-6617/): SaltStack Privilege Escalation vulnerability (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2021-33226](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-33226/): Code injection in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2021-25315](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-25315/): salt-api unauthenticated remote code execution (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2018-15751](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-15751/): SaltStack Salt Remote command execution and incorrect access control when using salt-api (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2013-4438 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2013-4438 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in Saltstack Salt, published on 5 Nov 2013. It can be exploited over the network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2013-4438 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- salt (PyPI): affected all versions; fixed in 0.17.1

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2013-4438/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2013-4438/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2013-4438
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2013-4438
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2013-4438

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2013-4438/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.