CVE-2026-76294 in Splunk
Summary
by MITRE • 10/22/2026
In Splunk Enterprise versions below 10.4.4, 10.2.8, 10.0.11, and 9.4.16, a user who does not hold the "admin" or "power" Splunk roles could move field extractions or field transformations to apps for which the user does not have read access. The vulnerability is possible because the Representational State Transfer (REST) API does not validate destination app access before it processes field extraction and field transformation move operations. For more information see Use the Field extractions page (https://help.splunk.com/en/splunk-enterprise/manage-knowledge-objects/knowledge-management-manual/10.6/use-the-settings-pages-for-field-extractions-in-splunk-web/use-the-field-extractions-page) and Manage knowledge object permissions (https://help.splunk.com/en/splunk-enterprise/manage-knowledge-objects/knowledge-management-manual/10.6/get-started-with-knowledge-objects/manage-knowledge-object-permissions) in the Splunk documentation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2026
The identified vulnerability represents a critical authorization failure within the Splunk Enterprise platform, specifically affecting versions prior to 10.4.4, 10.2.8, 10.0.11, and 9.4.16. This flaw stems from an insufficient access control mechanism embedded in the Representational State Transfer API that handles field extraction and field transformation operations. In a properly secured environment, any operation involving knowledge objects such as fields must strictly validate that the requesting user possesses appropriate permissions for both the source object and the destination container. However, in these vulnerable versions, the REST endpoint responsible for moving field extractions or transformations fails to verify whether the target application grants read access to the initiating user. This oversight allows individuals with limited privileges, specifically those lacking admin or power roles, to bypass standard permission checks by manipulating API requests to relocate sensitive data processing rules into applications they can subsequently view and potentially exploit.
From a technical perspective, this issue is classified under CWE-269, which denotes Improper Control of Interaction With the User Interface, although it fundamentally aligns with CWE-862, Missing Authorization, as the core failure lies in the absence of an access control check on the server side. The vulnerability enables unauthorized lateral movement within the application architecture by allowing low-privilege users to manipulate knowledge objects across app boundaries. By moving field extractions into apps they can read, attackers may gain visibility into data structures or parsing logic that were previously restricted. This capability undermines the principle of least privilege and compromises the integrity of the security posture defined by Splunk's role-based access control model. The attack vector is remote if an authenticated user with low privileges has network access to the Splunk instance, making it a significant risk for environments where shared accounts or compromised credentials are present.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond mere data visibility. Field extractions define how raw log data is parsed into structured fields, which are often used by security information and event management systems, dashboards, and alerting mechanisms. If an attacker can move these definitions to a readable app, they may be able to infer sensitive data formats or identify specific patterns in the logs that were intended to remain hidden from lower-tier users. Furthermore, depending on subsequent configurations, this access could facilitate further attacks such as injection into search queries or manipulation of reporting outputs. The ability to alter field extraction locations without proper authorization erodes trust in the platform's isolation boundaries and may lead to broader information disclosure incidents where confidential business intelligence is exposed to unauthorized personnel.
To mitigate this risk, organizations running affected Splunk Enterprise versions must prioritize immediate patching by upgrading to version 10.4.4 or later, which includes the necessary code corrections to enforce proper access validation on these REST API endpoints. Until an upgrade can be performed, administrators should implement compensating controls such as restricting direct API access for non-administrative users through network firewalls or reverse proxy configurations that filter out unauthorized move operations. Additionally, reviewing and tightening role definitions is advisable; ensuring that only trusted accounts with the power or admin roles have permissions to modify field extractions can reduce the attack surface. Regular auditing of knowledge object modifications should also be enabled to detect any anomalous movement of fields across app boundaries, providing an early warning system for potential exploitation attempts in line with ATT&CK techniques related to Defense Evasion and Discovery within enterprise environments.