CVE-2022-27183 in Splunk
Summary
by MITRE • 05/06/2022
The Monitoring Console app configured in Distributed mode allows for a Reflected XSS in a query parameter in Splunk Enterprise versions before 8.1.4. The Monitoring Console app is a bundled app included in Splunk Enterprise, not for download on SplunkBase, and not installed on Splunk Cloud Platform instances. Note that the Cloud Monitoring Console is not impacted.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-27183 affects Splunk Enterprise monitoring console applications operating in distributed mode, representing a critical security flaw that enables reflected cross-site scripting attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets query parameters within the Monitoring Console application, which serves as a bundled component integrated into Splunk Enterprise installations rather than being available as a separate download from SplunkBase. The affected environment excludes Splunk Cloud Platform instances, which do not contain the vulnerable Monitoring Console application, though it's important to note that the Cloud Monitoring Console itself remains unaffected by this particular flaw.
The technical implementation of this reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input from query parameters is not properly sanitized or encoded before being reflected back to the user's browser. This allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of the victim's browser session, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions within the Splunk environment. The vulnerability manifests specifically within the Distributed mode configuration of the Monitoring Console application, which is designed to manage and monitor multiple Splunk instances across a network infrastructure, making it a particularly attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise enterprise monitoring capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can be leveraged to perform privilege escalation attacks within the Splunk environment. Attackers could potentially manipulate the monitoring console to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information, manipulate monitoring data, or redirect users to malicious sites that appear legitimate within the Splunk interface. Given that the Monitoring Console is typically used by administrators and security personnel for critical system oversight, exploitation of this vulnerability could provide attackers with elevated privileges and persistent access to enterprise monitoring infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments or links, as attackers could craft malicious URLs to exploit this vulnerability during reconnaissance phases.
Organizations affected by CVE-2022-27183 should prioritize immediate remediation through the installation of Splunk Enterprise version 8.1.4 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the reflected XSS vulnerability. Security teams should also implement network monitoring to detect suspicious query parameter usage patterns and consider implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious inputs. Additionally, administrators should review and restrict access permissions for the Monitoring Console application, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to this potentially vulnerable component. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning in environments where Splunk monitoring consoles are exposed to untrusted networks or where users have the ability to craft URLs, as these conditions create the ideal attack vectors for exploitation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other Splunk applications and ensure comprehensive protection of enterprise monitoring infrastructure.