CVE-2020-16846: SaltStack Salt API Shell Injection

salt Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

06/11/2020

Disclosed on

CVE-2020-16846

CVE

Yes i

Fix available

Critical

Severity

9.8

CVSS Score

CVE-2020-16846: An issue was discovered in SaltStack Salt through 3002. Affects salt across 13 version ranges.

< 2015.8.10 >= 2015.8.11, < 2015.8.13 >= 2016.3.0, < 2016.3.4 >= 2016.3.5, < 2016.3.6 >= 2016.3.7, < 2016.3.8 >= 2016.11.0, < 2016.11.3 >= 2016.11.4, < 2016.11.6 >= 2016.11.7, < 2016.11.10 >= 2017.7.0, < 2017.7.4 >= 2017.7.5, < 2017.7.8 >= 2018.3.0rc1, < 2018.3.5 >= 2019.2.0, < 2019.2.5 >= 3000, < 3000.3

Fixed in 13 releases; the minimum fixed version depends on the release line you run. How to fix ↓

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Background

SaltStack Salt is an open-source configuration management and remote execution software. It allows administrators to manage and automate the configuration of multiple systems. The Salt API provides a RESTful interface for interacting with Salt. The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-16846 allows for shell injection when sending crafted web requests to the Salt API with the SSH client enabled.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability arises from improper input validation in the Salt API. An attacker can exploit this by sending specially crafted web requests that include malicious shell commands. If the SSH client is enabled, these commands can be executed on the target system, leading to arbitrary code execution and potential compromise of the system. This vulnerability affects versions of SaltStack Salt up to 3002.

How To Fix

Latest published version: 3008.3.0 as of 22 Oct 2026

pip install --upgrade "salt==3008.3.0"

Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the versions below are the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.

If you can't move to the latest

The minimum fixed version depends on the release line you run.

< 2015.8.10 2015.8.10
```
pip install --upgrade "salt==2015.8.10"
```
>= 2015.8.11, < 2015.8.13 2015.8.13
```
pip install --upgrade "salt==2015.8.13"
```
>= 2016.3.0, < 2016.3.4 2016.3.4
```
pip install --upgrade "salt==2016.3.4"
```
>= 2016.3.5, < 2016.3.6 2016.3.6
```
pip install --upgrade "salt==2016.3.6"
```
>= 2016.3.7, < 2016.3.8 2016.3.8
```
pip install --upgrade "salt==2016.3.8"
```
>= 2016.11.0, < 2016.11.3 2016.11.3
```
pip install --upgrade "salt==2016.11.3"
```

Show all 13 release lines

>= 2016.11.4, < 2016.11.6 2016.11.6
```
pip install --upgrade "salt==2016.11.6"
```

>= 2016.11.7, < 2016.11.10 2016.11.10

pip install --upgrade "salt==2016.11.10"

>= 2017.7.0, < 2017.7.4 2017.7.4
```
pip install --upgrade "salt==2017.7.4"
```
>= 2017.7.5, < 2017.7.8 2017.7.8
```
pip install --upgrade "salt==2017.7.8"
```
>= 2018.3.0rc1, < 2018.3.5 2018.3.5
```
pip install --upgrade "salt==2018.3.5"
```
>= 2019.2.0, < 2019.2.5 2019.2.5
```
pip install --upgrade "salt==2019.2.5"
```
>= 3000, < 3000.3 3000.3
```
pip install --upgrade "salt==3000.3"
```

Tip — Not sure which release line you're on? Vulert can find the fix for the version you are using. Scan free →

Workaround

If upgrading to a fixed version is not immediately possible, a temporary workaround is to disable the SSH client in the Salt API configuration. By disabling the SSH client, the vulnerability is mitigated. However, this may impact certain functionality that relies on the SSH client.

Conclusion

The CVE-2020-16846 vulnerability in SaltStack Salt API exposes systems to shell injection attacks. It is crucial to upgrade to a fixed version of SaltStack Salt to mitigate this vulnerability. Disabling the SSH client in the Salt API configuration can serve as a temporary workaround. For further support on vulnerability remediation, contact DevNack.com.

See every vulnerability recorded for salt →

FAQ

What is SaltStack Salt?

SaltStack Salt is an open-source configuration management and remote execution software used for managing and automating the configuration of multiple systems.

What is the Salt API?

The Salt API provides a RESTful interface for interacting with Salt. It allows administrators to remotely manage and control SaltStack Salt.

How does the vulnerability occur?

The vulnerability occurs due to improper input validation in the Salt API. Attackers can exploit this by sending crafted web requests with malicious shell commands.

What are the potential consequences of this vulnerability?

Exploiting this vulnerability can lead to arbitrary code execution on the target system, potentially compromising the system and allowing unauthorized access.

How can I fix this vulnerability?

To fix this vulnerability, it is recommended to upgrade to a fixed version of SaltStack Salt. The fixed versions are listed in the 'how_to_fix' section.

References

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