CVE-2020-25592: SaltStack Salt Authentication Bypass

salt Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

06/11/2020

Disclosed on

CVE-2020-25592

CVE

Yes i

Fix available

Critical

Severity

9.8

CVSS Score

CVE-2020-25592: In SaltStack Salt through 3002, salt-netapi improperly validates eauth credentials and tokens. A user can bypass authentication and invoke Salt SSH. 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 framework. It allows administrators to manage and automate the configuration of a large number of servers. The vulnerability (CVE-2020-25592) affects SaltStack Salt versions prior to 3002. It specifically impacts the salt-netapi component, which is responsible for handling network API requests. This vulnerability allows an attacker to bypass authentication and invoke Salt SSH.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability in salt-netapi arises from improper validation of eauth credentials and tokens. This flaw enables an attacker to bypass the authentication mechanism, gaining unauthorized access to Salt SSH functionality. By exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker can execute arbitrary commands on targeted systems, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, or further compromise of the affected infrastructure.

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"
```

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Workaround

As a temporary workaround, users can disable the salt-netapi component if it is not required for their specific use case. This can be achieved by modifying the SaltStack configuration file and commenting out or removing the 'rest_netapi' configuration section.

Conclusion

The vulnerability (CVE-2020-25592) in SaltStack Salt allows for authentication bypass and unauthorized invocation of Salt SSH. It is crucial to upgrade to version 3002 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. In the meantime, users can disable the salt-netapi component as a temporary workaround. For further assistance or support in vulnerability remediation, please 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 framework used for managing and automating the configuration of servers.

What is the impact of this vulnerability?

This vulnerability allows an attacker to bypass authentication and invoke Salt SSH, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, or further compromise of the affected infrastructure.

Which versions of SaltStack Salt are affected?

SaltStack Salt versions prior to 3002 are affected by this vulnerability.

How can I fix this vulnerability?

To fix this vulnerability, it is recommended to upgrade SaltStack Salt to version 3002 or later.

Is there a workaround available?

Yes, users can disable the salt-netapi component if it is not required for their specific use case.

References

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