# CVE-2021-33226: Code injection in n/a

> An attacker could potentially execute arbitrary code via the func variable in SaltStack, though the exploitability is disputed.

- **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:** 17 Feb 2023
- **Updated:** 18 Mar 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-3cjm-9wq5-p7gj, PYSEC-2023-47

## What is CVE-2021-33226?

CVE-2021-33226 is a critical code injection vulnerability in Saltstack Salt, published on 17 Feb 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Buffer Overflow vulnerability in Saltstack v.3003 and before allows attacker to execute arbitrary code via the func variable in salt/salt/modules/status.py file. NOTE: this is disputed by third parties because an attacker cannot influence the eval input

Weakness: CWE-120 (Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-33226?

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


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `salt` | PyPI | All versions | 3003.1 |

Products: Saltstack Salt.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-33226?

Upgrade salt to 3003.1 or later.

## Is CVE-2021-33226 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2021-33226 exists.

## 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-2021-25315](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)
- [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-2021-33226 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-33226 is a critical code injection vulnerability in Saltstack Salt, published on 17 Feb 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2021-33226 exists.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- salt (PyPI): affected all versions; fixed in 3003.1

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-2021-33226/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-33226/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-33226
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-33226
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-33226

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-33226/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.