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CVE-2021-25281 affects SaltStack Salt in versions before 3002.5. The flaw is in salt-api authentication handling for the wheel_async client: salt-api does not properly honor external authentication (eauth) credentials when processing wheel_async requests. As a result, authentication controls are bypassed or improperly enforced, allowing a remote attacker to invoke wheel modules on the Salt master. Because wheel modules expose administrative functionality on the master, this vulnerability can enable unauthorized execution of privileged master-side operations.
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2 valid exploits after Mallory filtered fakes, detection scripts, and README-only repos.
This repository contains a single Metasploit module (modules/exploits/linux/http/saltstack_salt_wheel_async_rce.rb) that exploits two vulnerabilities (CVE-2021-25281 and CVE-2021-25282) in SaltStack Salt's REST API. The exploit leverages an authentication bypass and directory traversal to drop a malicious Python script into the Salt master's extension modules directory. The Salt master's maintenance process will execute this script as root, allowing for remote code execution. The module supports both direct command execution and staged payloads (such as Meterpreter reverse shells), and is weaponized for operational use within the Metasploit framework. The main attack vector is network-based, targeting the Salt API (typically over HTTPS on port 8000). The module is configurable for the extension modules directory and base URI, and includes cleanup routines to remove traces of the exploit. The repository is structured as a single Ruby file, following standard Metasploit module conventions.
This repository contains a Python exploit script (cve-2021-25281.py) targeting SaltStack Salt master servers vulnerable to CVE-2021-25281 and CVE-2021-25282. The script provides three main capabilities: (1) arbitrary file write to the Salt master, (2) creation of a state file to execute arbitrary shell commands on minions, and (3) installation of an SSH public key for persistent access as root or another user. The exploit works by sending crafted POST requests to the '/run' endpoint of the Salt master, abusing the 'pillar_roots.write' functionality. The script is operational and requires the attacker to specify the target URL and desired action. The repository is structured with a single exploit script, a README, a license, and a .gitignore file. No detection or fake code is present; the exploit is functional and provides real post-exploitation capabilities.
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2 sources tracked across advisories and community write-ups. News coverage will land here when it surfaces.
No news coverage yet. Advisories and community discussion only.
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