CVE-2024-45733 in Splunk
Summary
by MITRE • 10/14/2024
In Splunk Enterprise for Windows versions below 9.2.3 and 9.1.6, a low-privileged user that does not hold the "admin" or "power" Splunk roles could perform a Remote Code Execution (RCE) due to an insecure session storage configuration.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-45733 represents a critical security flaw in Splunk Enterprise running on Windows platforms where affected versions include those below 9.2.3 and 9.1.6. This issue stems from an insecure session storage configuration that allows low-privileged users to escalate their privileges and execute arbitrary code remotely. The flaw specifically targets the session management mechanism within Splunk's authentication framework, creating a pathway for unauthorized users to bypass normal access controls and gain elevated system privileges.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in how Splunk Enterprise handles session storage for user authentication on Windows systems. When users establish sessions within the Splunk environment, the system stores session data in a manner that does not adequately protect against tampering or manipulation by users who lack administrative privileges. This insecure storage configuration enables attackers to craft malicious session tokens or manipulate existing session data to escalate their privileges from standard user level to administrative access. The vulnerability manifests when the system fails to properly validate session integrity or enforce proper access controls during the authentication process, allowing unauthorized users to exploit session management weaknesses to execute commands with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations using affected Splunk versions. A low-privileged attacker who gains access to the Splunk environment could leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code on the underlying system, potentially leading to full system compromise. This vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of all data processed through the Splunk platform, as attackers could access sensitive logs, modify data, or establish persistent backdoors. The remote execution capability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or network, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on Splunk for security monitoring and log analysis. The attack surface expands significantly since Splunk is commonly used for centralized logging, security information and event management, and operational data analysis, making any compromise potentially catastrophic for security operations.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to Splunk Enterprise versions 9.2.3 or 9.1.6 to remediate this vulnerability, as these releases contain patches that address the insecure session storage configuration. The mitigation strategy should also include implementing network segmentation to limit access to Splunk instances, enforcing strict access controls, and monitoring for unusual session activity or unauthorized access attempts. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and implement additional monitoring controls around session management activities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) categories, while also mapping to ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and remote code execution. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication for Splunk access and regularly reviewing session timeouts and authentication policies to minimize the window of opportunity for exploitation.