CVE-2025-20319 in Splunk
Summary
by MITRE • 07/07/2025
In Splunk Enterprise versions below 9.4.3, 9.3.5, 9.2.7, and 9.1.10, a user who holds a role that contains the high-privilege capability `edit_scripted` and `list_inputs` capability , could perform a remote command execution due to improper user input sanitization on the scripted input files.See [Define roles on the Splunk platform with capabilities](https://docs.splunk.com/Documentation/Splunk/latest/Security/Rolesandcapabilities) and [Setting up a scripted input ](https://docs.splunk.com/Documentation/Splunk/9.4.2/AdvancedDev/ScriptSetup)for more information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2025
This vulnerability exists within Splunk Enterprise across multiple version lines including 9.4.3, 9.3.5, 9.2.7, and 9.1.10 where specific privilege escalation conditions enable remote command execution. The flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization mechanisms when processing scripted input files, creating a path for malicious actors to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. The vulnerability requires an attacker to possess a user account with specific high-privilege capabilities including both `edit_scripted` and `list_inputs` permissions, which aligns with common privilege escalation patterns documented in cybersecurity frameworks such as the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation and execution tactics. The technical implementation involves the improper handling of user-supplied data within the scripted input processing pipeline, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that bypass normal security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution as it provides attackers with persistent access to the Splunk platform and potentially the underlying infrastructure. Attackers can leverage this capability to establish backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or disrupt critical monitoring operations that depend on Splunk for security information and event management. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely heavily on Splunk for log aggregation and security monitoring, potentially compromising their entire security posture. The flaw represents a critical weakness in Splunk's input validation mechanisms and demonstrates how insufficient sanitization of user-controlled data can lead to severe remote code execution scenarios. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-77 and CWE-78 categories which specifically address command injection flaws in software applications, where user-supplied input is improperly incorporated into system commands without adequate sanitization or escaping.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including upgrading to the patched versions of Splunk Enterprise as specified in the advisory, and implementing additional access controls to limit the number of users with the problematic capabilities. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting access to `edit_scripted` and `list_inputs` capabilities to only those users who absolutely require them for legitimate operational purposes. Network segmentation and monitoring of scripted input activities can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive audits of user roles and capabilities to identify and remediate any unnecessary high-privilege assignments. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and sanitization practices in security-critical applications, particularly those handling user-generated content or configuration data. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and additional monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting similar command injection vulnerabilities in their environment.