CVE-2026-20162 in Splunk
Summary
by MITRE • 03/11/2026
In Splunk Enterprise versions below 10.2.0, 10.0.3, 9.4.9, and 9.3.9, and Splunk Cloud Platform versions below 10.2.2510.4, 10.1.2507.15, 10.0.2503.11, and 9.3.2411.123, a low-privileged user who does not hold the "admin" or "power" Splunk roles could craft a malicious payload when creating a View (Settings - User Interface - Views) at the `/manager/launcher/data/ui/views/_new` endpoint leading to a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) through a path traversal vulnerability. This could result in execution of unauthorized JavaScript code in the browser of a user.
The vulnerability requires the attacker to phish the victim by tricking them into initiating a request within their browser. The authenticated user should not be able to exploit the vulnerability at will.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2026
This vulnerability exists within Splunk Enterprise and Splunk Cloud Platform applications where a path traversal flaw allows low-privileged users to inject malicious JavaScript code through the view creation interface. The vulnerability specifically targets the `/manager/launcher/data/ui/views/_new` endpoint which handles the creation of new views in the user interface settings. When a malicious payload is crafted and saved as a view, the stored XSS occurs when another user accesses that view, executing the injected script in their browser context.
The technical exploitation requires a user with minimal privileges to create a view containing malicious JavaScript code that leverages a path traversal vulnerability in the view creation process. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting flaws, specifically the stored variant where malicious code is permanently stored on the target server. The path traversal element indicates that the vulnerability allows manipulation of file paths or data structures to achieve unauthorized access or code injection. According to ATT&CK framework, this maps to T1566.001 - Phishing and T1548.001 - Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism, as it requires user interaction and leverages the application's permission model.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the browsers of other users who view the malicious content. This creates potential for session hijacking, data exfiltration, and further exploitation of the compromised user's privileges. The requirement for phishing to deliver the malicious payload means that social engineering becomes a critical attack vector, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users may not be adequately trained to recognize such attacks. The fact that the vulnerability requires authentication but not elevated privileges makes it more accessible to attackers who can gain initial access through other means.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of Splunk Enterprise and Splunk Cloud Platform as specified in the advisory. Additional protective measures include implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, monitoring view creation activities for suspicious patterns, and conducting user awareness training to recognize phishing attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly in administrative interfaces where users may have varying privilege levels. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious payloads before they can be stored and executed.