How severe is CVE-2023-20897?

CVE-2023-20897 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.3, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability low.

Is CVE-2023-20897 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (60th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2023-20897?

CVE-2023-20897 affects Saltstack Salt. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2023-20897?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2023-20897 published?

CVE-2023-20897 was published on 2023-09-05 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2023-20897

CVE-2023-20897 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Saltstack Salt with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.3. 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-404.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.3)
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (60th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-404
Affected product: Saltstack Salt
Published: 2023-09-05
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Salt masters prior to 3005.2 or 3006.2 contain a DOS in minion return. After receiving several bad packets on the request server equal to the number of worker threads, the master will become unresponsive to return requests until restarted.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-20897?: Salt masters prior to 3005.2 or 3006.2 contain a DOS in minion return. After receiving several bad packets on the request server equal to the number of worker threads, the master will become unresponsive to return requests until restarted.
How severe is CVE-2023-20897?: CVE-2023-20897 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.3, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability low.
Is CVE-2023-20897 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (60th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-20897?: CVE-2023-20897 affects Saltstack Salt. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-20897?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2023-20897 published?: CVE-2023-20897 was published on 2023-09-05 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

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

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