# CVE-2021-25315: salt-api unauthenticated remote code execution

> Local attackers can execute arbitrary code via salt-api without valid credentials due to improper authentication in SUSE Linux.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 3 Mar 2021
- **Updated:** 16 Sep 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-pmj6-9f8c-8g2m, PYSEC-2021-891

## What is CVE-2021-25315?

CVE-2021-25315 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in Saltstack Salt, published on 3 Mar 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

CWE - CWE-287: Improper Authentication vulnerability in SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP 3; openSUSE Tumbleweed allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code via salt without the need to specify valid credentials. This issue affects: SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP 3 salt versions prior to 3002.2-3. openSUSE Tumbleweed salt version 3002.2-2.1 and prior versions. This issue affects: SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP 3 salt versions prior to 3002.2-3. openSUSE Tumbleweed salt version 3002.2-2.1 and prior versions.

Weakness: CWE-287 (Improper Authentication)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-25315?

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


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `salt` | PyPI | All versions | 3002.2 |
| `salt` | PyPI | All versions | 3002.2 |
| `salt` | PyPI | All versions | 3002.2 |

Products: Saltstack Salt.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-25315?

Upgrade salt to 3002.2 or later.

## Is CVE-2021-25315 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-25315 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-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)
- [CVE-2017-7893](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-7893/): SaltStack Salt allows compromised salt-minions to impersonate the salt-master (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2021-25315 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-25315 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in Saltstack Salt, published on 3 Mar 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-25315 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- salt (PyPI): affected all versions; fixed in 3002.2
- salt (PyPI): affected all versions; fixed in 3002.2
- salt (PyPI): affected all versions; fixed in 3002.2

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-2021-25315/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-25315/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-25315
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-25315
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-25315

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-25315/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.