CVE-2022-26070 in Splunk
Summary
by MITRE • 05/06/2022
When handling a mismatched pre-authentication cookie, the application leaks the internal error message in the response, which contains the Splunk Enterprise local system path. The vulnerability impacts Splunk Enterprise versions before 8.1.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2022-26070 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Splunk Enterprise authentication mechanisms. This weakness manifests when the application encounters a pre-authentication cookie mismatch, a scenario that typically occurs during the initial stages of user authentication before proper credential validation. The system's improper error handling in this specific context results in the exposure of sensitive internal system information through HTTP response content. The leaked information includes the local system path of the Splunk Enterprise installation, which constitutes a significant security risk as it provides attackers with detailed knowledge of the underlying system architecture and file structure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate error message sanitization within the authentication flow. When a pre-authentication cookie mismatch occurs, the application fails to properly handle this error condition and instead returns the internal error message directly to the client. This error message contains the full system path where Splunk Enterprise is installed, effectively leaking operational details about the host environment. The vulnerability specifically affects Splunk Enterprise versions prior to 8.1.0, indicating that this was a known issue that was subsequently addressed in later releases. This information disclosure represents a classic example of improper error handling that violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and defense in depth.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked system paths can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers can leverage the exposed local system paths to craft targeted attacks against the specific version of Splunk Enterprise, potentially identifying other vulnerabilities or misconfigurations within the same system. The leaked paths may also reveal the operating system type, file structure, and installation conventions, providing attackers with valuable reconnaissance data that could be used to plan further exploitation attempts. Additionally, this vulnerability can be combined with other attack vectors to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to sensitive data stored within the Splunk Enterprise environment. The exposure of system paths also violates industry standards such as CWE-209, which specifically addresses improper error handling that reveals internal system information.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through the upgrade to Splunk Enterprise version 8.1.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this issue. In addition to upgrading, system administrators should implement proper error handling practices that ensure no internal system information is exposed through application responses. This includes implementing generic error messages that do not contain system paths or internal implementation details. Security monitoring should also be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in authentication attempts that might indicate exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting local system permissions and credential access mechanisms, as the leaked information can be used to better understand and target the system. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.