Splunk Enterprise: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command
CVE-2026-20163 is a high-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in a command vulnerability in Splunk Enterprise from Splunk, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with administrator privileges, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 10.0.4, 9.4.9, 9.3.10 as the first without the flaw, so updating Splunk Enterprise to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.54% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Splunk Enterprise to 10.0.4 or 9.4.9 or 9.3.10, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update Splunk Cloud Platform to 10.2.2510.5 or 10.0.2503.12 or 10.1.2507.16 or 9.3.2411.124, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update Splunk to 9.3.10 or 9.4.9 or 10.0.4, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on advisory.splunk.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Splunk | Splunk Enterprise | 10.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.4; 9.4 up to, but not including, 9.4.9; 9.3 up to, but not including, 9.3.10 | 10.0.4, 9.4.9, 9.3.10 |
| Splunk | Splunk Cloud Platform | 10.2.2510 up to, but not including, 10.2.2510.5; 10.0.2503 up to, but not including, 10.0.2503.12; 10.1.2507 up to, but not including, 10.1.2507.16; 9.3.2411 up to, but not including, 9.3.2411.124 | 10.2.2510.5, 10.0.2503.12, 10.1.2507.16, 9.3.2411.124 |
| Splunk | Splunk | 9.3.0 up to, but not including, 9.3.10; 9.4.0 up to, but not including, 9.4.9; 10.0.0 up to, but not including, 10.0.4 | 9.3.10, 9.4.9, 10.0.4 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- HighAdministrator-level access is required first.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (cisco.com).
Official description
In Splunk Enterprise versions below 10.2.0, 10.0.4, 9.4.9, and 9.3.10, and Splunk Cloud Platform versions below 10.2.2510.5, 10.0.2503.12, 10.1.2507.16, and 9.3.2411.124, a user who holds a role that contains the high-privilege capability `edit_cmd` could execute arbitrary shell commands using the `unarchive_cmd` parameter for the `/splunkd/__upload/indexing/preview` REST endpoint.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command
The product constructs all or part of a command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended command when it is sent to a downstream component.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- If at all possible, use library calls rather than external processes to recreate the desired functionality.
- If possible, ensure that all external commands called from the program are statically created.
- Run time: Run time policy enforcement may be used in an allowlist fashion to prevent use of any non-sanctioned commands.
More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command vulnerabilities (CWE-77)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in Splunk Enterprise
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.2 High severity
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