CVE-2021-21996

CVE-2021-21996 is a high-severity vulnerability in Saltstack Salt with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

Description

An issue was discovered in SaltStack Salt before 3003.3. A user who has control of the source, and source_hash URLs can gain full file system access as root on a salt minion.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-21996?
An issue was discovered in SaltStack Salt before 3003.3. A user who has control of the source, and source_hash URLs can gain full file system access as root on a salt minion.
How severe is CVE-2021-21996?
CVE-2021-21996 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with high attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-21996 being actively exploited?
It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 4% (88th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-21996?
CVE-2021-21996 primarily affects Saltstack Salt. In total, 7 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-21996?
Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2021-21996 published?
CVE-2021-21996 was published on 2021-09-08 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (7)

More vulnerabilities in Saltstack Salt

All CVEs affecting Saltstack Salt →