CVE-2016-10126 in Splunk
Summary
by MITRE
Splunk Web in Splunk Enterprise 5.0.x before 5.0.17, 6.0.x before 6.0.13, 6.1.x before 6.1.12, 6.2.x before 6.2.12, 6.3.x before 6.3.8, and 6.4.x before 6.4.4 allows remote attackers to conduct HTTP request injection attacks and obtain sensitive REST API authentication-token information via unspecified vectors, aka SPL-128840.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10126 represents a critical security flaw in Splunk Enterprise's web interface that enables remote attackers to execute HTTP request injection attacks and extract sensitive authentication tokens. This issue affects multiple versions of Splunk Enterprise spanning from 5.0.x through 6.4.x, with specific patched versions outlined in the advisory. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the web application's handling of HTTP requests, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate the application's behavior and access protected resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of improper validation mechanisms that fail to adequately filter or sanitize user-supplied input in HTTP request parameters. Attackers can leverage this weakness to inject malicious HTTP requests that bypass normal authentication checks and gain unauthorized access to the Splunk REST API. The flaw specifically impacts the web interface's ability to properly process and validate incoming requests, allowing for manipulation of the authentication token retrieval process. This creates a pathway for attackers to obtain valid authentication tokens without proper authorization, effectively compromising the application's security controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-10126 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation can lead to complete compromise of the Splunk instance and access to all associated data and functionality. Attackers can leverage the extracted authentication tokens to perform administrative actions, view sensitive log data, modify configurations, and potentially escalate privileges within the system. The vulnerability affects the core Splunk Web interface, which serves as the primary access point for both administrative and user functions, making it a critical target for exploitation. Organizations using affected versions of Splunk Enterprise face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential regulatory violations due to unauthorized access to critical security infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of affected Splunk Enterprise installations to the latest available versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should prioritize updating their Splunk instances to versions 5.0.17, 6.0.13, 6.1.12, 6.2.12, 6.3.8, or 6.4.4 respectively, depending on their current version. Additionally, network-level protections such as firewalls and web application firewalls should be configured to monitor and filter suspicious HTTP request patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual authentication token usage patterns and unauthorized API access attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-74 and CWE-79 categories related to injection flaws and cross-site scripting, respectively, and maps to ATT&CK techniques involving credential access and exploitation of remote services. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining unpatched systems within the organization's infrastructure.