CVE-2026-76329 in Splunk
Summary
by MITRE • 08/20/2026
In Splunk Enterprise versions below 10.4.2, 10.2.6, 10.0.9, and 9.4.14, an unauthenticated user could trick a user who holds the "admin" Splunk role into opening a crafted link to Monitoring Console. When that user opens the link, Splunk Enterprise runs attacker-controlled Search Processing Language (SPL) using the permissions of that user. The injected SPL could expose data available to that user or modify lookup data. The vulnerability is possible because Monitoring Console does not sufficiently validate data used to build dashboard searches. The vulnerability requires the attacker to phish the user by tricking them into opening the crafted link. The unauthenticated user should not be able to exploit the vulnerability at will.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2026
The identified security flaw resides within Splunk Enterprise versions prior to 10.4.2, 10.2.6, 10.0.9, and 9.4.14, specifically affecting the Monitoring Console component. This vulnerability stems from an insufficient validation of input data utilized in the construction of dashboard searches. The core technical deficiency lies in the application's failure to properly sanitize or validate parameters passed through crafted URLs before they are processed by the Search Processing Language engine. When a user with administrative privileges interacts with a maliciously constructed link, the system executes search commands derived from that untrusted input. Because the execution context inherits the permissions of the authenticated administrator, this allows for privilege escalation in effect, even though the initial vector requires social engineering to reach an authorized account.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant due to its potential for data exfiltration and configuration tampering. An attacker who successfully tricks a high-privileged user into opening the crafted link can cause Splunk Enterprise to execute arbitrary Search Processing Language commands. These injected queries have access to all data sources that the targeted administrator role is permitted to view, potentially leading to the exposure of sensitive organizational information. Furthermore, if the executed SPL includes write operations or modifies lookup tables, it could alter critical configuration data within the SIEM environment, thereby compromising the integrity and reliability of security monitoring capabilities. This dual threat vector allows for both confidentiality breaches through unauthorized data access and integrity violations through malicious modification of system lookups.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20 Improper Input Validation, as the root cause is the lack of rigorous checking on user-supplied input before its use in command generation. It also maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 Phishing: Spearphishing Link, given that exploitation relies entirely on deceiving a privileged user into interacting with a malicious artifact. Additionally, the ability to execute arbitrary commands within an application context relates to CWE-94 Improper Control of Generation of Code or Command, specifically in how the SPL is dynamically constructed and executed without adequate safeguards against injection attacks.
Mitigation strategies must prioritize immediate patching as the primary defense vector. Organizations running affected versions should upgrade Splunk Enterprise to version 10.4.2 or later, where these input validation issues have been addressed by the vendor. In environments where immediate upgrading is not feasible, administrative controls can help mitigate risk. This includes restricting access to the Monitoring Console and dashboard editing capabilities strictly to essential personnel, thereby reducing the attack surface available to potential attackers. Additionally, implementing strict web application firewalls that inspect for anomalous SPL syntax or unusual URL parameters in requests directed at Splunk endpoints may provide an additional layer of defense against exploitation attempts. User awareness training is also critical, as the vulnerability requires a human element to trigger; educating administrators about the risks of clicking unverified links can significantly reduce the likelihood of successful social engineering attacks targeting this specific flaw.