CVE-2013-6771 in Splunk
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the collect script in Splunk before 5.0.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a .. (dot dot) in the file parameter. NOTE: this issue was SPLIT per ADT2 due to different vulnerability types. CVE-2013-7394 is for the issue in the "runshellscript echo.sh" script.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/11/2022
The CVE-2013-6771 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within Splunk's collect script functionality, affecting versions prior to 5.0.5. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation in the file parameter processing mechanism, allowing malicious actors to manipulate path resolution through the use of .. (dot dot) sequences. The flaw specifically resides in how the system handles file path construction when processing user-supplied input, creating an opportunity for attackers to navigate outside of intended directories and access restricted system resources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the file parameter in the collect script, where attackers can inject directory traversal sequences to bypass normal access controls. When the system processes these malicious inputs, it fails to properly sanitize or validate the path components, enabling arbitrary command execution capabilities. This vulnerability type falls under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The weakness allows attackers to access files and directories that should normally be restricted, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations using affected Splunk versions, as it enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the system. The impact extends beyond simple file access, as successful exploitation can lead to full system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information, modify or delete critical files, and potentially establish backdoors for continued access. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur without physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and script interpretation, as the vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. Organizations utilizing Splunk for log management and security monitoring face significant risk when running vulnerable versions, as attackers could potentially access log data, system configurations, or other sensitive information processed by the platform. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw makes it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to establish persistent access to compromised systems. Mitigation efforts should include immediate patching to version 5.0.5 or later, implementing network segmentation to limit access to Splunk services, and monitoring for suspicious file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.