CVE-2023-40592 in Splunk
Summary
by MITRE • 08/30/2023
In Splunk Enterprise versions below 9.1.1, 9.0.6, and 8.2.12, an attacker can craft a special web request that can result in reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) on the “/app/search/table” web endpoint. Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to the execution of arbitrary commands on the Splunk platform instance.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/27/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-40592 represents a critical reflected cross-site scripting flaw within Splunk Enterprise software across multiple affected versions. This security weakness exists within the web application's handling of user input at the "/app/search/table" endpoint, where the application fails to properly sanitize or validate incoming HTTP request parameters before incorporating them into the response output. The flaw allows an attacker to inject malicious script code that gets executed in the context of a victim's browser session, creating a persistent security risk for organizations relying on Splunk for log management and security monitoring.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within Splunk's web interface. When users navigate to the search table endpoint and provide crafted parameters, the application returns these parameters directly to the browser without proper sanitization. This creates an environment where malicious payloads can be embedded within URL parameters or form data, which are then reflected back to the user's browser. The vulnerability specifically maps to CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security that enables XSS attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond typical XSS consequences to include potential command execution capabilities on the underlying Splunk platform. While the initial exploitation vector targets the web interface through browser-based scripts, the broader implications suggest that attackers may be able to leverage this vulnerability as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks. The ability to execute arbitrary commands on the Splunk instance could enable attackers to access sensitive log data, modify search configurations, or even escalate privileges within the platform. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, as the vulnerability could potentially be exploited to execute system commands through the Splunk platform's own command processing capabilities.
Organizations utilizing affected Splunk versions face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where Splunk is used for security monitoring and incident response. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that Splunk instances often contain sensitive operational data, including system logs, security alerts, and user activity records. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to harvest credentials, establish persistent access, or manipulate security events to cover their tracks. The reflected nature of the XSS attack means that exploitation could occur through social engineering campaigns where users are tricked into clicking malicious links, making the attack surface broader than simple direct exploitation. Security teams should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of official patches and consider implementing additional protective measures such as web application firewalls and input validation controls to mitigate potential exploitation attempts.