CVE-2026-76255 in Splunk
Summary
by MITRE • 08/20/2026
In Splunk Enterprise versions below 10.4.1, 10.2.6, 10.0.8, and 9.4.13, a user who does not hold the "admin" or "power" Splunk roles could trick another user into running arbitrary Search Processing Language (SPL) commands through the Data Model Editor using the permissions of the affected user. The commands could access all relevant data available to the affected user and affect system integrity. The vulnerability is possible because Splunk Web does not apply SPL safeguards for risky commands when the Data Model Editor runs the base search for auto-extracted fields. The vulnerability requires the attacker to phish the affected user by tricking them into initiating a request within their browser. The user who does not hold the "admin" or "power" Splunk roles should not be able to exploit the vulnerability at will. For more information see SPL safeguards for risky commands (https://help.splunk.com/en/splunk-enterprise/administer/manage-users-and-security/10.4/best-practices-for-splunk-platform-security/spl-safeguards-for-risky-commands) and Define roles on the Splunk platform with capabilities (https://help.splunk.com/en/splunk-enterprise/administer/manage-users-and-security/10.2/manage-splunk-platform-users-and-roles/define-roles-on-the-splunk-platform-with-capabilities) in the Splunk documentation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2026
A critical security vulnerability exists within Splunk Enterprise versions prior to 10.4.1, 10.2.6, 10.0.8, and 9.4.13, specifically affecting the Data Model Editor component of the Splunk Web interface. This flaw allows a user with limited privileges who lacks the admin or power roles to manipulate another user into executing arbitrary Search Processing Language commands under that victim's credentials. The core technical failure lies in the application layer where SPL safeguards for risky commands are not enforced when the Data Model Editor executes base searches intended for auto-extracted fields. This oversight creates a bypass mechanism for role-based access controls, enabling an attacker to leverage the permissions of any authenticated user who interacts with the maliciously crafted data model configuration rather than requiring administrative privileges directly.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it facilitates unauthorized data exfiltration and potential system integrity compromise. By tricking a target user into initiating a request within their browser, typically through social engineering or phishing tactics, an attacker can cause the Splunk instance to run SPL commands that access all relevant data available to that specific user account. This means sensitive information stored in indexed events becomes accessible to unauthorized parties if they can successfully manipulate the victim's session. Furthermore, because certain SPL commands have side effects beyond simple data retrieval, such as modifying configurations or interacting with external systems, there is a risk of affecting system integrity and stability depending on which risky commands are executed through this vector.
This vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-20 Improper Input Validation and CWE-798 Use of Hard-coded Credentials if the exploitation relies on session hijacking, though primarily it represents an Authorization Bypass issue categorized under CWE-269 Improvement Control for Privileged Function. In terms of offensive security frameworks, this attack pattern corresponds to MITRE ATT&CK techniques involving Valid Accounts (T1078) and potentially Command and Scripting Interpreter execution if the SPL commands are treated as script execution within the Splunk environment. The requirement for user interaction classifies this largely as a client-side or social engineering dependent vulnerability where the attacker must deceive the victim into performing an action that triggers the flawed backend logic in the Data Model Editor.
Mitigation strategies focus on immediate software updates and strict access control policies. Organizations running affected versions of Splunk Enterprise should upgrade to version 10.4.1, 10.2.6, 10.0.8, or 9.4.13 immediately to receive the patched code that enforces SPL safeguards for risky commands within the Data Model Editor context. Additionally, administrators should review and restrict Splunk roles and capabilities according to best practices outlined in official documentation. Ensuring that users do not possess unnecessary privileges reduces the blast radius of such an attack. Security awareness training is also recommended to help employees recognize phishing attempts aimed at tricking them into interacting with malicious data models or configurations within the Splunk interface, thereby preventing the initial user interaction required for exploitation.