CVE-2020-11652
KEVSaltStack Salt Path Traversal Vulnerability
Description
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.
An issue was discovered in SaltStack Salt before 2019.2.4 and 3000 before 3000.2. The salt-master process ClearFuncs class allows access to some methods that improperly sanitize paths. These methods allow arbitrary directory access to authenticated users.
CVSS 3.1 vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:NPublishedApr 30, 2020
Last modifiedJun 17, 2026
Added to KEVNov 3, 2021
Remediation dueMay 3, 2022
References
- lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-04/msg00047.htmlMailing ListThird Party Advisory
- lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-07/msg00070.htmlMailing ListThird Party Advisory
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/157560/Saltstack-3000.1-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/157678/SaltStack-Salt-Master-Minion-Unauthenticated-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlExploitThird Party Advisory
- support.blackberry.com/kb/articleDetail?articleNumber=000063758Third Party Advisory
- vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2020-0009.htmlThird Party Advisory
- docs.saltstack.com/en/latest/topics/releases/2019.2.4.htmlVendor Advisory
- github.com/saltstack/salt/blob/v3000.2_docs/doc/topics/releases/3000.2.rstThird Party Advisory
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/05/msg00027.htmlMailing ListThird Party Advisory
- tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-salt-2vx545AGThird Party Advisory
- usn.ubuntu.com/4459-1/Third Party Advisory
- debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4676Third Party Advisory
0 recent articles mention this CVE
71
Risk assessment · High
Actively exploited. Patch immediately.
- Exploitation
- Confirmed in the wild (CISA KEV)
- Federal remediation deadline
- Overdue by 1637 days
- CVSS
- 6.5 MEDIUM
- EPSS (30-day exploit probability)
- 86.2% · top 1% of all CVEs
- Weakness
- CWE-22
- Attack vector
- Network, remotely reachable
Recommended actions
- 1.Apply updates per vendor instructions.
- 2.Treat as emergency change: patch or isolate internet-facing instances first.
- 3.Review exposure: confirm which instances are reachable from the internet and restrict access until patched.
- 4.Hunt for compromise: review logs for the disclosure window, not just from the patch date.
Assessment is derived automatically from the live signals above; verify against your own asset inventory.