CVE-2013-4435 in Salt
Summary
by MITRE
Salt (aka SaltStack) 0.15.0 through 0.17.0 allows remote authenticated users who are using external authentication or client ACL to execute restricted routines by embedding the routine in another routine.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4435 affects SaltStack versions 0.15.0 through 0.17.0 and represents a significant authorization bypass flaw that enables authenticated attackers to execute restricted system routines through carefully crafted command sequences. This vulnerability specifically impacts environments that utilize external authentication mechanisms or client access control lists, creating a pathway for privilege escalation and unauthorized system operations.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and routine execution controls within Salt's command processing architecture. When external authentication or client ACL systems are configured, the software fails to properly verify that embedded routine calls originate from authorized contexts. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious command sequences that include restricted routines within seemingly benign operations, effectively circumventing the intended access controls. The vulnerability manifests when Salt processes commands that contain nested or embedded routine calls, allowing unauthorized execution of functions that should be restricted based on user permissions or client access policies.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, potentially enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical system functions and data. Remote authenticated users who have legitimate access to SaltStack systems can leverage this flaw to execute administrative commands, access restricted configuration data, or perform operations that should be limited to privileged users. This creates a substantial risk for organizations that rely on SaltStack for infrastructure automation and configuration management, as the vulnerability can be exploited without requiring additional authentication credentials beyond those already obtained through legitimate access.
Organizations utilizing affected SaltStack versions should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to patched versions where available, implementing additional input validation controls, and reviewing existing client ACL configurations to minimize the attack surface. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization in software systems, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and can be categorized under T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through legitimate credentials, and T1566, which encompasses social engineering attacks that leverage valid accounts. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation controls and monitoring for unusual command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.