In Splunk Enterprise versions below 10.2.0, 10.0.2, 9.4.7, 9.3.9, and 9.2.11, a user of a Splunk Search Head Cluster (SHC) deployment who holds a role with access to the Splunk `_internal` index could view the RSA `accessKey` value from the Authentication.conf file, in plain text. This vulnerability allows unauthorized access to sensitive credentials, which could potentially lead to further exploitation.
With a CVSS score of 6.8, this vulnerability is classified as medium severity. The potential impact is significant due to the high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact scores. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive information, increasing the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access.
Organizations using affected versions of Splunk should prioritize remediation as part of their security strategy. Given the potential for exploitation, it is crucial to assess the risk and implement appropriate measures to protect sensitive data.
Currently, there are no known exploits or proof of concepts available for this vulnerability, indicating a window of opportunity for organizations to address it before it becomes a target for malicious actors.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability allows unauthorized users to view sensitive RSA access keys in plain text, posing a serious security risk. This issue is classified under CWE-532, indicating improper exposure of sensitive information. The vulnerability was published on February 18, 2026, and affects multiple versions of Splunk Enterprise.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the misconfiguration that allows users with access to the internal index to read sensitive configuration files. The attack vector is adjacent network access, and the attack complexity is low. High privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability, and no user interaction is necessary.
The impact on confidentiality is high, as sensitive credentials are exposed. Integrity and availability are also rated high, as unauthorized access can compromise data integrity and service availability.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive data and potential breaches. The blast radius could extend beyond the immediate system to other connected resources. With a medium severity rating, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle.
The urgency is underscored by the absence of known exploits, providing a limited timeframe to implement necessary patches before attackers may exploit this vulnerability.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability affects Splunk Enterprise versions below 10.2.0, specifically 10.0.2, 9.4.7, 9.3.9, and 9.2.11. All versions prior to vendor patch should be considered vulnerable.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply the latest security patches from Splunk to remediate this vulnerability. If a patch is not immediately available, consider implementing access controls to limit user access to the `_internal` index.
Furthermore, organizations may benefit from conducting a thorough security assessment to identify configuration weaknesses and apply appropriate hardening measures.
For ongoing security, organizations should consider engaging in penetration testing to validate remediation effectiveness.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unauthorized access attempts to the `_internal` index. Behavioral anomalies and unusual access patterns should be investigated promptly.
Network signatures associated with unusual access to sensitive configuration files should also be established to enhance detection capabilities.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2026-20142 highlights the importance of safeguarding sensitive configuration files in enterprise environments. This vulnerability represents a critical failure in securing access control mechanisms.
Security teams should derive lessons from this incident to reinforce the importance of proper access management. Continuous training and awareness programs can be instrumental in mitigating similar risks in the future.
For further insights, organizations can explore penetration testing methodologies and vulnerability management best practices to enhance their security posture.
Additionally, understanding the trends in ransomware targeting can provide valuable context for enhancing defenses.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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