CVE-2017-5607 in Splunk
Summary
by MITRE
Splunk Enterprise 5.0.x before 5.0.18, 6.0.x before 6.0.14, 6.1.x before 6.1.13, 6.2.x before 6.2.13.1, 6.3.x before 6.3.10, 6.4.x before 6.4.6, and 6.5.x before 6.5.3 and Splunk Light before 6.5.2 assigns the $C JS property to the global Window namespace, which might allow remote attackers to obtain sensitive logged-in username and version-related information via a crafted webpage.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5607 affects Splunk Enterprise and Splunk Light versions across multiple release streams, specifically targeting the handling of JavaScript properties within the browser environment. This issue stems from the improper management of the $C JavaScript property which gets incorrectly assigned to the global Window namespace during the application's execution. The flaw exists in versions prior to the specified patches including Splunk Enterprise 5.0.x before 5.0.18, 6.0.x before 6.0.14, 6.1.x before 6.1.13, 6.2.x before 6.2.13.1, 6.3.x before 6.3.10, 6.4.x before 6.4.6, and 6.5.x before 6.5.3, along with Splunk Light before 6.5.2. The vulnerability represents a classic case of insecure object property exposure where application-specific variables leak into the global scope, creating potential attack vectors for malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the JavaScript execution environment within Splunk's web interface where the $C property becomes accessible through the global Window object. This occurs when the application fails to properly scope or sanitize JavaScript variables during the rendering process of web pages. When a malicious attacker crafts a specially designed webpage, they can exploit this improper scoping to access sensitive information that would normally be restricted. The vulnerability specifically allows for the retrieval of logged-in username information and version-related data that should remain protected within the application's internal context. This exposure happens because the $C property contains sensitive session information that gets inadvertently published to the global namespace, making it accessible to any script running in the same context.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5607 extends beyond simple information disclosure as it creates opportunities for more sophisticated attacks within the Splunk environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gather intelligence about the target system including user credentials and system version information, which can then be used to tailor more effective attacks against the Splunk infrastructure. The exposure of logged-in usernames creates potential for credential stuffing attacks or targeted social engineering attempts, while version information can be used to identify specific vulnerabilities that may exist in the targeted Splunk installation. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper information exposure, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1082 for system information discovery. The risk is particularly elevated in environments where Splunk is used for security monitoring, as attackers could use the leaked information to understand the security posture and identify potential attack vectors within the monitoring infrastructure.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the recommended patches for their specific Splunk version, ensuring that all systems are updated to the patched releases mentioned in the CVE description. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive testing of the patches in non-production environments before deployment to avoid potential compatibility issues with existing Splunk configurations or custom applications. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit potential exploitation opportunities, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other potential insecure object property exposures within the Splunk environment or related web applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper JavaScript scoping practices and the need for regular security reviews of web application code to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.