Description
An issue was discovered in SaltStack Salt through 3002. Sending crafted web requests to the Salt API, with the SSH client enabled, can result in shell injection.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 10 | salt | 2018.3.4+dfsg1-6+deb10u2 | DSA-4837-1 |
| Debian 9 | salt | 2016.11.2+ds-1+deb9u6 | DLA-2480-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Pro 18.04 LTS | salt | 2017.7.4+dfsg1-1ubuntu18.04.2+esm1 | USN-6948-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 16.04 LTS | salt | 2015.8.8+ds-1ubuntu0.1+esm2 | USN-6948-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 14.04 LTS | salt | 0.17.5+ds-1ubuntu0.1~esm4 | USN-7181-1 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 15 SP2 | salt | 3000-4.20.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3155-1 |
| SLES 15 SP1 | salt | 3000-6.51.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3243-1 |
| SLES 15 | salt | 3000-5.91.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3244-1 |
| SLES 12 | salt | 3000-46.114.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3245-1 |
| SLES 11 SP4 | cobbler | 2.2.2-0.68.12.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:14538-1 |
| SLES 11 SP4 | mgr-daemon | 4.1.3-5.20.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:14538-1 |
| SLES 11 SP4 | salt | 2016.11.10-43.63.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:14538-1 |
| SLES 11 SP4 | spacecmd | 4.1.8-18.72.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:14538-1 |
| SLES 11 SP4 | spacewalk-client-tools | 4.1.7-27.38.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:14538-1 |
Show 12 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 11 SP3 | cobbler | 2.2.2-0.68.12.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:14538-1 |
| SLES 11 SP3 | mgr-daemon | 4.1.3-5.20.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:14538-1 |
| SLES 11 SP3 | salt | 2016.11.10-43.63.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:14538-1 |
| SLES 11 SP3 | spacecmd | 4.1.8-18.72.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:14538-1 |
| SLES 11 SP3 | spacewalk-client-tools | 4.1.7-27.38.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:14538-1 |
| SLES 2 | salt | 3000-4.20.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3243-1, SUSE-SU-2020:3155-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 | salt | 3000-5.91.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3244-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 | salt | 3000-5.91.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3244-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server Module 4.1 | bind-formula | 0.1.1603299886.60e4bcf-3.3.2 | SUSE-SU-2020:3235-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server Module 4.1 | grafana-formula | 0.3.0-3.3.2 | SUSE-SU-2020:3235-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server Module 4.1 | prometheus-exporters-formula | 0.8.0-3.16.2 | SUSE-SU-2020:3235-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server Module 4.1 | prometheus-formula | 0.3.0-3.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3235-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server Module 4.1 | pxe-formula | 0.1.1602490840.4f32148-3.3.2 | SUSE-SU-2020:3235-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server Module 4.1 | py26-compat-salt | 2016.11.10-6.3.3 | SUSE-SU-2020:3235-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server Module 4.1 | python-susemanager-retail | 1.0.1602150122.f08af0a-3.3.2 | SUSE-SU-2020:3235-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server Module 4.1 | salt-netapi-client | 0.18.0-15.7.5 | SUSE-SU-2020:3235-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server Module 4.1 | saltboot-formula +1 | 0.1.1602150122.f08af0a-3.6.2 | SUSE-SU-2020:3235-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server Module 4.1 | spacecmd | 4.1.8-4.9.2 | SUSE-SU-2020:3235-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server Module 4.1 | spacewalk-admin | 4.1.7-3.6.3 | SUSE-SU-2020:3235-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server Module 4.1 | spacewalk-backend | 4.1.16-4.11.5 | SUSE-SU-2020:3235-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server Module 4.1 | spacewalk-branding | 4.1.11-3.9.6 | SUSE-SU-2020:3235-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server Module 4.1 | spacewalk-client-tools | 4.1.7-4.6.4 | SUSE-SU-2020:3235-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server Module 4.1 | spacewalk-java | 4.1.22-3.16.4 | SUSE-SU-2020:3235-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server Module 4.1 | spacewalk-search | 4.1.3-3.3.7 | SUSE-SU-2020:3235-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server Module 4.1 | spacewalk-web | 4.1.19-3.9.5 | SUSE-SU-2020:3235-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server Module 4.1 | susemanager | 4.1.21-3.11.6 | SUSE-SU-2020:3235-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server Module 4.1 | susemanager-build-keys | 15.2.2-3.6.3 | SUSE-SU-2020:3235-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server Module 4.1 | susemanager-docs_en +1 | 4.1-11.17.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3235-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server Module 4.1 | susemanager-schema | 4.1.15-3.11.2 | SUSE-SU-2020:3235-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server Module 4.1 | susemanager-sls | 4.1.17-3.13.6 | SUSE-SU-2020:3235-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server Module 4.0 | py26-compat-salt | 2016.11.10-10.17.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3250-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server Module 4.0 | spacewalk-java | 4.0.39-3.45.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3250-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server 3.2 | py26-compat-salt | 2016.11.10-6.41.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3251-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server 3.2 | salt | 3000-46.114.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3245-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server 3.2 | spacewalk-java | 2.8.78.31-3.56.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3251-1 |
| SUSE Manager Proxy Module 4.1 | mgr-daemon | 4.1.3-2.6.3 | SUSE-SU-2020:3235-1 |
| SUSE Manager Proxy Module 4.1 | spacecmd | 4.1.8-4.9.2 | SUSE-SU-2020:3235-1 |
| SUSE Manager Proxy Module 4.1 | spacewalk-backend | 4.1.16-4.11.5 | SUSE-SU-2020:3235-1 |
| SUSE Manager Proxy Module 4.1 | spacewalk-client-tools | 4.1.7-4.6.4 | SUSE-SU-2020:3235-1 |
| SUSE Manager Proxy Module 4.1 | spacewalk-web | 4.1.19-3.9.5 | SUSE-SU-2020:3235-1 |
| SUSE Manager Proxy Module 4.1 | susemanager-build-keys | 15.2.2-3.6.3 | SUSE-SU-2020:3235-1 |
| SUSE Manager Proxy 3.2 | salt | 3000-46.114.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3245-1 |
| SUSE Manager Client Tools 12 | salt | 3000-46.114.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3245-1 |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Point of Sale 12 SP2 | salt | 3000-46.114.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3245-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 5 | salt | 2016.11.4-48.13.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:3171-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Leap 15.2 | salt | 3000-lp152.3.15.1 | openSUSE-SU-2020:1833-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.1 | salt | 3000-lp151.5.30.1 | openSUSE-SU-2020:1868-1 |
Alpine
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine v3.24 | salt | 3002-r1 | — |
| Alpine v3.23 | salt | 3002-r1 | — |
| Alpine v3.22 | salt | 3002-r1 | — |
| Alpine v3.21 | salt | 3002-r1 | — |
| Alpine v3.20 | salt | 3002-r1 | — |
Show 7 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine v3.19 | salt | 3002-r1 | — |
| Alpine v3.18 | salt | 3002-r1 | — |
| Alpine v3.17 | salt | 3002-r1 | — |
| Alpine v3.16 | salt | 3002-r1 | — |
| Alpine v3.15 | salt | 3002-r1 | — |
| Alpine v3.14 | salt | 3002-r1 | — |
| Alpine v3.13 | salt | 3002-r1 | — |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Metasploit 1 module
-
SaltStack Salt REST API Arbitrary Command Execution
exploit/linux/http/saltstack_salt_api_cmd_exec
GitHub 2 repositories
-
hamza-boudouche/projet-secu ★ 0 · Dec 12, 2022
CVE-2020-16846
-
zomy22/CVE-2020-16846-Saltstack-Salt-API ★ 0 · Oct 14, 2021
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Automated scanner template
A ready-made Nuclei template detects this vulnerability automatically. Vulnerabilities with public scanner templates are typically probed across the internet soon after the template appears — exposed systems should be patched first.
- SaltStack <=3002 - Shell Injection http/cves/2020/CVE-2020-16846.yaml
Source: projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates (MIT) — updated daily. Only links are listed.
Affected packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Affected | Fixed | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PyPI | salt | < 2015.8.13 | 2015.8.13 | GHSA-qr38-h96j-2j3w |
| PyPI | salt | >= 2016.3.0, < 2016.3.8 | 2016.3.8 | GHSA-qr38-h96j-2j3w |
| PyPI | salt | >= 2016.11.0, < 2016.11.10 | 2016.11.10 | GHSA-qr38-h96j-2j3w |
| PyPI | salt | >= 2017.5.0, < 2017.7.8 | 2017.7.8 | GHSA-qr38-h96j-2j3w |
| PyPI | salt | >= 2018.2.0, < 2018.3.5 | 2018.3.5 | GHSA-qr38-h96j-2j3w |
| PyPI | salt | >= 2019.2.0, < 2019.2.6 | 2019.2.6 | GHSA-qr38-h96j-2j3w |
| PyPI | salt | >= 3000.0, < 3000.4 | 3000.4 | GHSA-qr38-h96j-2j3w |
| PyPI | salt | >= 3001, < 3001.2 | 3001.2 | GHSA-qr38-h96j-2j3w |
| PyPI | salt | >= 3002, < 3002.1 | 3002.1 | GHSA-qr38-h96j-2j3w |
| PyPI | salt | < 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, … | 2015.8.10, 2015.8.13, 2016.3.4, 2016.3.6, 2016.3.8, 2016.11.3, 2016.11.6, 2016.11.10, 2017.7.4, 2017.7.8, 2018.3.5, 2019.2.5, 3000.3 | PYSEC-2020-104 |
Advisories 16
- USN-6948-1 salt vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Jun 25, 2026
- DSA-4837-1 salt - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DLA-2480-1 salt - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- USN-7181-1 salt vulnerability Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2020:3251-1 Security update for SUSE Manager 3.2 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2020:3235-1 Security update for SUSE Manager Server 4.1 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2020:14538-1 Security update for SUSE Manager Client Tools SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2020:3245-1 Security update for Salt SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2020:3243-1 Security update for salt SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2020:3155-1 Security update for salt SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2020:3171-1 Security update for salt SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2020:1868-1 Security update for salt SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2020:3244-1 Security update for Salt SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2020:3250-1 Security update for SUSE Manager 4.0 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2020:1833-1 Security update for salt SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · May 7, 2025
- WID-SEC-2024-1801 SaltStack Salt: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Jan 6, 2025
References
- https://github.com/saltstack/salt/releases
- https://www.saltstack.com/blog/on-november-3-2020-saltstack-publicly-disclosed-three-new-cves/
- FEDORA-2020-9e040bd6dd vendor-advisory
- openSUSE-SU-2020:1868 vendor-advisory
- GLSA-202011-13 vendor-advisory
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/160039/SaltStack-Salt-REST-API-Arbitrary-Command-Execution.html
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1381/
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1383/
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1380/
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1379/
- https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-20-1382/
- [debian-lts-announce] 20201204 [SECURITY] [DLA 2480-1] salt security update mailing-list
- DSA-4837 vendor-advisory
- [debian-lts-announce] 20220103 [SECURITY] [DLA 2480-2] salt regression update mailing-list