CVE-2011-4644 in Splunk
Summary
by MITRE
Splunk 4.2.5 and earlier, when a Free license is selected, enables potentially undesirable functionality within an environment that intentionally does not support authentication, which allows remote attackers to (1) read arbitrary files via a management-console session that leverages the ability to create crafted data sources, or (2) execute management commands via an HTTP request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4644 affects Splunk versions 4.2.5 and earlier, specifically when the Free license is configured. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of environments designed to operate without authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from the improper handling of functionality within the Splunk management console when operating under a free license, creating unexpected access vectors that should not exist in restricted environments. The flaw particularly impacts systems where authentication is intentionally disabled or not supported, making these environments susceptible to unauthorized access and potential exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves two distinct attack vectors that exploit the management console's handling of data sources and HTTP requests. Attackers can leverage crafted data sources within management-console sessions to read arbitrary files from the system, bypassing normal file access controls and potentially accessing sensitive configuration files, logs, or other system resources. Additionally, the vulnerability allows remote command execution through carefully crafted HTTP requests, enabling attackers to execute management commands directly on the Splunk server. This dual nature of the vulnerability means that even in environments where authentication is disabled, attackers can gain significant control over the system through these improperly restricted functionalities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of Splunk deployments in restricted environments. Organizations that rely on Splunk for log management and monitoring may find their systems exposed to remote attackers who can extract sensitive data or execute malicious commands without proper authentication. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where security through obscurity or lack of authentication is a deliberate design choice, making these systems more vulnerable than they should be. The implications include potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to monitoring data that organizations depend on for security operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4644 require immediate attention and should include upgrading to Splunk versions that address this vulnerability, as the issue exists in versions through 4.2.5. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to Splunk management interfaces and ensure that authentication mechanisms are properly configured even in environments where they might seem unnecessary. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and maps to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and command execution through management interfaces. Regular security assessments and monitoring of Splunk configurations should be implemented to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components of the security infrastructure.