CVE-2021-25281

CVE-2021-25281 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Saltstack Salt with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 73% places it in the 99th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-287.

Key facts

• Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
• CVSS v2: 7.5
• EPSS exploit prediction: 73% (99th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-287
• Affected product: Saltstack Salt
• Published: 2021-02-27
• Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

An issue was discovered in through SaltStack Salt before 3002.5. salt-api does not honor eauth credentials for the wheel_async client. Thus, an attacker can remotely run any wheel modules on the master.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-25281?

An issue was discovered in through SaltStack Salt before 3002.5. salt-api does not honor eauth credentials for the wheel_async client. Thus, an attacker can remotely run any wheel modules on the master.

How severe is CVE-2021-25281?

CVE-2021-25281 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-25281 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 73% (99th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-25281?

CVE-2021-25281 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-2021-25281?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2021-25281 published?

CVE-2021-25281 was published on 2021-02-27 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

• http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/162058/SaltStack-Salt-API-Unauthenticated-Remote-Command-Execution.html
• https://github.com/saltstack/salt/releases
• https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/11/msg00009.html
• https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/7GRVZ5WAEI3XFN2BDTL6DDXFS5HYSDVB/
• https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/FUGLOJ6NXLCIFRD2JTXBYQEMAEF2B6XH/
• https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/YOGNT2XWPOYV7YT75DN7PS4GIYWFKOK5/
• https://saltproject.io/security_announcements/active-saltstack-cve-release-2021-feb-25/
• https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202103-01
• https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202310-22
• https://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-5011
• https://www.saltstack.com/blog/active-saltstack-cve-announced-2021-jan-21/

Affected products (7)

• cpe:2.3:a:saltstack:salt:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:32:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:33:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:34:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:10.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:11.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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