CVE-2025-62349

Salt Master authentication protocol downgrade may enable minion impersonation

Published Jan 30, 2026 CVSS 4.0 · 7.5 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
Salt contains an authentication protocol version downgrade weakness that can allow a malicious minion to bypass newer authentication/security features by using an older request payload format, enabling minion impersonation and circumventing protections introduced in response to prior issues.

Remediation

Vendor Solution

Upgrade Salt to a version that includes the authentication protocol downgrade fix and supports enforcing minimum authentication protocol versions (e.g., 3006.17+ on the 3006 line or 3007.9+ on the 3007 line). Ensure the Salt master enforces a safe minimum by using the minimum_auth_version configuration option (default 3 in fixed releases).


Vendor Workaround

If you must keep older minions temporarily, control exposure by upgrading the master first and using minimum_auth_version according to Salt guidance: fixed releases default to enforcing protocol v3+. If older minions cannot authenticate, temporarily set minimum_auth_version: 0 during a controlled upgrade window, then upgrade minions and restore the stricter minimum.

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-vcf3-26xf-fw4m Salt Authentication Protocol Version Downgrade Allows Minion Impersonation
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Salt Project
Salt Project salt
Vendors & Products Salt Project
Salt Project salt
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Salt contains an authentication protocol version downgrade weakness that can allow a malicious minion to bypass newer authentication/security features by using an older request payload format, enabling minion impersonation and circumventing protections introduced in response to prior issues.
Title Salt Master authentication protocol downgrade may enable minion impersonation
Weaknesses CWE-287
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 6.2, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:L'}

cvssV4_0

{'score': 7.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:H/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
vmware
Published
Updated
Feb 26, 2026, 3:04 PM
Reserved
Oct 10, 2025, 10:06 AM
Status
Deferred
Published
Jan 30, 2026, 7:16 PM
Modified
Jun 17, 2026, 9:51 AM