CVE-2026-76293 in Splunk
Summary
by MITRE • 10/23/2026
In Splunk Enterprise versions below 10.4.3, 10.2.8, 10.0.11, and 9.4.16, a user that holds a role with the edit_manager_xml capability could execute arbitrary operating-system commands using the permissions of the user account running Splunk Enterprise by opening the affected configuration in the Splunk Web Manager page. The vulnerability is possible because Splunk Web evaluates user-controlled expressions from Manager XML without sufficiently restricting the expression syntax.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2026
The identified vulnerability represents a critical server-side code injection flaw within Splunk Enterprise, specifically affecting versions prior to 10.4.3, 10.2.8, 10.0.11, and 9.4.16. This security issue stems from an improper restriction of expression syntax during the evaluation process in the Splunk Web Manager interface. When a user with the edit_manager_xml capability accesses the configuration settings through the web-based management console, the system processes input that is intended for XML structure but fails to adequately sanitize or validate dynamic expressions embedded within it. This lack of strict validation allows an attacker who possesses this specific role permission to inject malicious code into the configuration files. The core technical flaw lies in the application's ability to interpret and execute user-controlled expressions without sufficient boundary checks, effectively treating untrusted input as executable logic rather than static data.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability facilitates arbitrary operating-system command execution with the privileges of the underlying Splunk Enterprise service account. This is particularly severe because enterprise security applications like Splunk typically run under high-privilege accounts to perform deep system monitoring and log aggregation. By exploiting the edit_manager_xml capability, an authenticated attacker can manipulate how these configuration files are parsed and executed by the backend engine. The attack vector involves crafting a specially formatted XML payload that contains malicious expressions designed to trigger command execution when processed by the Splunk Web interface. This bypasses traditional input validation mechanisms because the vulnerability exists in the logic layer responsible for rendering or processing manager configurations, rather than at the initial network ingress point.
The operational impact of this flaw is substantial, as it allows for complete system compromise if the Splunk service account has elevated permissions on the host operating system. An attacker could use this access to exfiltrate sensitive log data, modify security policies to evade detection, install persistent backdoors, or pivot further into the internal network using the compromised server's credentials and connectivity. Since the vulnerability is tied to a specific administrative role (edit_manager_xml), it targets privileged users rather than unauthenticated external actors, indicating that threat actors would likely need prior access through phishing, credential theft, or other initial compromise techniques to exploit this flaw. The ability to execute commands as the service account means that any actions taken will inherit those permissions, potentially allowing for lateral movement and deeper infiltration of the organization's infrastructure.
To mitigate this risk, organizations must immediately upgrade Splunk Enterprise to version 10.4.3 or later, where these expression evaluation restrictions have been hardened. In environments where immediate patching is not feasible, administrators should review role assignments and restrict the edit_manager_xml capability to only those users who absolutely require it for operational duties. Implementing strict input validation at the application layer can also serve as a compensating control, although upgrading remains the primary remediation strategy. Security teams should monitor logs for unusual activity related to configuration changes or unexpected command executions originating from Splunk processes. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-94 Improper Control of Generation of Code (Code Injection) and is associated with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, highlighting the importance of securing administrative interfaces against injection-based attacks in critical infrastructure components.