CVE-2021-25284: Credential Logging in SaltStack Salt

salt Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

27/02/2021

Disclosed on

CVE-2021-25284

CVE

Yes i

Fix available

Moderate

Severity

4.4

CVSS Score

CVE-2021-25284: An issue was discovered in through SaltStack Salt before 3002.5. salt.modules.cmdmod can log credentials to the info or error log level. 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 tool. It allows administrators to manage and control a large number of servers from a central location. The salt.modules.cmdmod module in SaltStack Salt is responsible for executing commands on remote systems. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in versions before 3002.5, where this module can log credentials to the info or error log level.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability (CVE-2021-25284) in SaltStack Salt allows an attacker to obtain sensitive information, such as credentials, by exploiting the logging mechanism. When certain commands are executed using the salt.modules.cmdmod module, the credentials used in those commands may be logged to the info or error log level. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive systems and data. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of SaltStack Salt, starting from 0 and up to 3002.4.

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"
```

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Workaround

As a temporary workaround, users can modify the logging configuration to prevent sensitive information from being logged. This can be achieved by adjusting the log level or filtering specific log messages. However, this workaround may not provide complete protection and should only be considered until the system can be upgraded to a fixed version.

Conclusion

The vulnerability (CVE-2021-25284) in SaltStack Salt allows for the logging of credentials to the info or error log level. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive systems and data. It is crucial to upgrade to SaltStack Salt version 3002.5 or later to fix this vulnerability. In the meantime, a temporary workaround can be implemented by adjusting the logging configuration. For further support on 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 tool used for managing and controlling a large number of servers from a central location.

What is the impact of this vulnerability?

The vulnerability allows an attacker to obtain sensitive information, such as credentials, by exploiting the logging mechanism. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive systems and data.

Which versions of SaltStack Salt are affected?

Multiple versions of SaltStack Salt are affected, starting from 0 and up to 3002.4. It is recommended to upgrade to version 3002.5 or later.

How can I fix this vulnerability?

To fix this vulnerability, it is recommended to upgrade to SaltStack Salt version 3002.5 or later. Instructions for upgrading can be found in the official documentation.

Is there a workaround available?

A temporary workaround is to modify the logging configuration to prevent sensitive information from being logged. However, this should only be considered until the system can be upgraded to a fixed version.

References

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