CVE-2021-25281: SaltStack Salt API Remote Code Execution

salt Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

27/02/2021

Disclosed on

CVE-2021-25281

CVE

Yes i

Fix available

Critical

Severity

9.8

CVSS Score

CVE-2021-25281: An issue was discovered in through SaltStack Salt before 3002.5. Affects salt across 15 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, < 2016.11.5 >= 2016.11.7, < 2016.11.10 >= 2017.7.0, < 2017.7.8 >= 2018.3.0rc1, < 2019.2.0rc1 >= 2019.2.0, < 2019.2.5 >= 2019.2.6, < 2019.2.8 >= 3000, < 3000.6 >= 3001, < 3001.4 >= 3002, < 3002.5

Fixed in 15 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 control a large number of servers from a central location. The Salt API is a component of SaltStack Salt that provides a RESTful interface for remote management. This vulnerability affects versions of SaltStack Salt prior to 3002.5.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability (CVE-2021-25281) exists in the salt-api component of SaltStack Salt. It allows an attacker to remotely execute any wheel modules on the master without proper authentication. The salt-api does not honor eauth credentials for the wheel_async client, enabling unauthorized access to sensitive functionality. This can lead to unauthorized code execution and potential compromise of the Salt master.

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 15 release lines

>= 2016.11.4, < 2016.11.5 2016.11.5
```
pip install --upgrade "salt==2016.11.5"
```

>= 2016.11.7, < 2016.11.10 2016.11.10

pip install --upgrade "salt==2016.11.10"

>= 2017.7.0, < 2017.7.8 2017.7.8
```
pip install --upgrade "salt==2017.7.8"
```
>= 2018.3.0rc1, < 2019.2.0rc1 2019.2.0rc1
```
pip install --upgrade "salt==2019.2.0rc1"
```
>= 2019.2.0, < 2019.2.5 2019.2.5
```
pip install --upgrade "salt==2019.2.5"
```
>= 2019.2.6, < 2019.2.8 2019.2.8
```
pip install --upgrade "salt==2019.2.8"
```
>= 3000, < 3000.6 3000.6
```
pip install --upgrade "salt==3000.6"
```
>= 3001, < 3001.4 3001.4
```
pip install --upgrade "salt==3001.4"
```
>= 3002, < 3002.5 3002.5
```
pip install --upgrade "salt==3002.5"
```

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

Workaround

As a temporary workaround, it is possible to disable the salt-api service until the upgrade can be performed. This can be achieved by stopping the salt-api service and disabling it from starting automatically on system boot. The specific steps to perform this workaround may vary depending on the operating system and configuration.

Conclusion

The vulnerability (CVE-2021-25281) in SaltStack Salt API allows remote code execution without proper authentication. It is crucial to upgrade to SaltStack Salt version 3002.5 or later to mitigate the risk. Disabling the salt-api service 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 framework. It allows administrators to manage and control a large number of servers from a central location.

What is the Salt API?

The Salt API is a component of SaltStack Salt that provides a RESTful interface for remote management. It allows users to interact with SaltStack Salt programmatically.

What is the impact of this vulnerability?

This vulnerability allows an attacker to remotely execute any wheel modules on the Salt master without proper authentication. This can lead to unauthorized code execution and potential compromise of the Salt master.

How can I fix this vulnerability?

To fix this vulnerability, it is recommended to upgrade to SaltStack Salt version 3002.5 or later. This version includes a fix for the issue and ensures that eauth credentials are properly honored by the salt-api.

Is there a workaround for this vulnerability?

Yes, a temporary workaround is to disable the salt-api service until the upgrade can be performed. This can be achieved by stopping the salt-api service and disabling it from starting automatically on system boot.

References

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