This vulnerability allows users of a Splunk Search Head Cluster (SHC) deployment to view Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) configurations in plain text if they hold a role with access to the Splunk _internal index. Specifically, users can see configurations for Attribute query requests (AQRs) or Authentication extensions in the conf.log file. This issue affects multiple versions of Splunk Enterprise and Splunk Cloud Platform.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 6.8, indicating a medium severity level. This score reflects the potential risk to organizations. Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive configuration data, which could lead to further exploitation.
As of now, there are no known exploits associated with this vulnerability, but organizations should prioritize patching to mitigate any potential risks.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The publication date for this vulnerability is February 18, 2026, and it was last modified on February 23, 2026.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability affecting Splunk is classified under CWE-532, indicating a violation of secure logging practices. The specific versions impacted include Splunk Enterprise versions below 10.2.0, 10.0.2, 9.4.7, 9.3.8, and 9.2.11, along with Splunk Cloud Platform versions below 10.2.2510.0, 10.1.2507.11, 10.0.2503.9, and 9.3.2411.120.
The official CVSS vector string for the vulnerability is CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. This indicates that it has high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, and requires high privileges with a low attack complexity.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is related to improper access controls within the Splunk Search Head Cluster deployments. Users with high privileges can access sensitive logs that may contain clear-text SAML configurations, which should be protected.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is adjacent network, meaning an attacker would need access to the same network segment as the affected system. The attack complexity is low as no user interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability.
Privileges required are high, as the attacker must be a user with access to the Splunk _internal index. The impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all high due to potential unauthorized access to sensitive configurations.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The risk to organizations includes exposure of critical configuration data that may facilitate further exploitation. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to obtain sensitive SAML configurations for unauthorized access to other systems.
The blast radius potential is significant since multiple versions of both Splunk Enterprise and Splunk Cloud Platform are affected. Organizations utilizing these technologies must assess their exposure and take appropriate action.
Given the CVSS score of 6.8 and its classification as a medium severity vulnerability, organizations should address this issue in their priority patch cycle.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The following versions are affected: Splunk Enterprise versions below 10.2.0, 10.0.2, 9.4.7, 9.3.8, and 9.2.11, and Splunk Cloud Platform versions below 10.2.2510.0, 10.1.2507.11, 10.0.2503.9, and 9.3.2411.120. Organizations should ensure they are running patched versions.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should patch their systems to the latest versions to mitigate this vulnerability. For those unable to immediately apply patches, reviewing and hardening access controls can help reduce exposure to this vulnerability. Continuous monitoring and regular security assessments are also recommended to identify vulnerabilities proactively.
For more information on effective security practices, consider engaging in continuous penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for any unauthorized access attempts or unusual behavior indicating exploitation. Specific indicators may include access to the conf.log file by users without a legitimate business need.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability is that it highlights the need for stringent access controls in environments that utilize sensitive configurations. Organizations should consider revisiting their security policies and practices to ensure compliance with best practices.
This vulnerability represents a pattern of misconfigured access controls that can lead to significant security breaches. Security teams should focus on implementing robust access controls and regular security audits to mitigate similar vulnerabilities in the future.
For further reading on securing your Splunk environments, explore our resource on penetration testing methodology and best practices.
Additionally, organizations should evaluate their existing security posture against the latest trends in vulnerabilities to stay ahead of potential threats. Consider reviewing our insights on vulnerability management programs and how to effectively design them.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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