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CVE-2020-16846 is a command injection vulnerability in SaltStack Salt through version 3002 affecting the Salt API when the netapi SSH client is enabled. Crafted web requests sent to the Salt API can trigger shell injection in the SSH client handling path, allowing untrusted input to be incorporated into shell command execution. The issue is exposed via the API layer rather than requiring direct shell access, and it can be reached remotely where the vulnerable Salt API is accessible and the SSH client functionality is enabled.
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What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.
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1 valid exploit after Mallory filtered fakes, detection scripts, and README-only repos.
This repository contains a single Metasploit module (modules/exploits/linux/http/saltstack_salt_api_cmd_exec.rb) that exploits two vulnerabilities (CVE-2020-16846 and CVE-2020-25592) in SaltStack Salt's REST API (salt-api). The exploit leverages an authentication bypass and command injection to execute arbitrary commands as root on vulnerable SaltStack Salt installations. The module supports both direct command execution (Unix Command target) and staged payload delivery (Linux Dropper target), allowing for reverse shells or Meterpreter sessions. The main attack vector is network-based, targeting the /run HTTP endpoint of the salt-api service, typically running on port 8000 with SSL enabled. The exploit is weaponized, as it is part of the Metasploit framework and supports customizable payloads. The repository is structured as a single Ruby file, following Metasploit conventions, and is intended for use within the Metasploit framework.
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Vendor-confirmed product mapping. Mallory continuously reconciles this list against your asset inventory.
2 sources tracked across advisories, community write-ups, and news. New activity surfaces here as Mallory finds it.
A SaltStack remote code execution vulnerability that the content says Sysrv added to improve spreading.
A remote code execution vulnerability in SaltStack explicitly identified as used by Sysrv.
Query your assets running an affected version, and investigate the blast radius.
Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.
Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.
YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.
Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.
Community discussion across Reddit, Mastodon, and other social sources.