Salt Master authentication protocol downgrade may enable minion impersonation
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.
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).
Configurations
Workarounds
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.