How severe is CVE-2021-33226?

CVE-2021-33226 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-2021-33226 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (74th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-33226?

CVE-2021-33226 affects Saltstack Salt. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-33226?

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-2021-33226 published?

CVE-2021-33226 was published on 2023-02-17 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-33226

CVE-2021-33226 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Saltstack Salt with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-120.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (74th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-120
Affected product: Saltstack Salt
Published: 2023-02-17
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Buffer Overflow vulnerability in Saltstack v.3003 and before allows attacker to execute arbitrary code via the func variable in salt/salt/modules/status.py file. NOTE: this is disputed by third parties because an attacker cannot influence the eval input

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-33226?: Buffer Overflow vulnerability in Saltstack v.3003 and before allows attacker to execute arbitrary code via the func variable in salt/salt/modules/status.py file. NOTE: this is disputed by third parties because an attacker cannot influence the eval input
How severe is CVE-2021-33226?: CVE-2021-33226 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-2021-33226 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (74th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-33226?: CVE-2021-33226 affects Saltstack Salt. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-33226?: 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-2021-33226 published?: CVE-2021-33226 was published on 2023-02-17 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:saltstack:salt:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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