CVE-2021-25284 in SaltStack Salt
Summary
by MITRE • 02/27/2021
An issue was discovered in through SaltStack Salt before 3002.5. salt.modules.cmdmod can log credentials to the info or error log level.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-25284 affects SaltStack Salt versions prior to 3002.5 and represents a critical logging security flaw within the salt.modules.cmdmod module. This issue arises from improper handling of credential information during command execution processes, where sensitive authentication data may be inadvertently written to log files at info or error verbosity levels. The vulnerability stems from a design flaw in how the SaltStack configuration management platform processes and logs command execution outputs, particularly when dealing with credential passing mechanisms used in remote execution scenarios.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs within the salt.modules.cmdmod module which is responsible for executing commands on remote systems through SaltStack's distributed architecture. When commands are executed with credential parameters, the module fails to properly sanitize or redact authentication information before logging operations occur. This creates a scenario where usernames, passwords, API keys, or other sensitive credential data can be exposed in plain text within the system's logging infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the logging level rather than the execution level, meaning that even if the command itself executes successfully without exposing credentials, the credential information remains accessible through log file examination. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and data protection, as sensitive information is stored in accessible locations without proper access controls or encryption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple security domains and affects organizations relying on SaltStack for infrastructure automation and configuration management. Attackers who gain access to system logs, whether through direct file system access, log aggregation systems, or through compromised user accounts with appropriate permissions, can extract credential information from these log files. This exposure creates opportunities for privilege escalation attacks, lateral movement within networks, and unauthorized access to systems managed by SaltStack. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where log files are shared across multiple teams or stored in centralized logging systems, as it increases the attack surface for credential theft. Additionally, the flaw can be exploited by malicious insiders who have legitimate access to the system but seek to extract sensitive information, making it a significant concern for organizations implementing zero-trust security models.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to SaltStack Salt version 3002.5 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper credential sanitization in logging operations. System administrators should also review existing log configurations to ensure that sensitive data is not being written to info or error level logs, and implement log filtering mechanisms to redact credential information before logging occurs. The implementation of centralized log management solutions with proper access controls and audit trails becomes critical in preventing unauthorized access to potentially compromised log data. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive log reviews to identify and remove any previously exposed credential information from existing log files. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-532, which addresses information exposure through log files, and represents a clear violation of ATT&CK technique T1070.002 for indicator removal through log manipulation. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring for log access patterns and credential usage to detect potential exploitation attempts.