Splunk App for Lookup File Editing RCE via User XSLT

name: Splunk App for Lookup File Editing RCE via User XSLT
id: a053e6a6-2146-483a-9798-2d43652f3299
version: 8
creation_date: '2023-11-16'
modification_date: '2026-06-24'
author: Rod Soto, Splunk
status: deprecated
type: Hunting
description: The following analytic identifies the creation of lookup files in Splunk, which could indicate an attempt to exploit remote code execution via user-supplied XSLT. It leverages REST API queries to monitor the creation of these lookups, focusing on fields such as title, author, and access control lists. This activity is significant because it targets a known vulnerability in Splunk versions 9.1.x, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code. If confirmed malicious, this could lead to unauthorized code execution, compromising the integrity and security of the Splunk environment.
data_source: []
search: '| rest splunk_server=local /services/data/lookup-table-files/ | fields title author disabled eai:acl.app eai:acl.owner eai:acl.sharing eai:appName eai:data | `splunk_app_for_lookup_file_editing_rce_via_user_xslt_filter`'
how_to_implement: Because there is no way to detect the payload, this search only provides the ability to monitor the creation of lookups which are the base of this exploit. An operator must then investigate suspicious lookups. This search requires ability to perform REST queries. Note that if the Splunk App for Lookup File Editing is not, or was not, installed in the Splunk environment then it is not necessary to run the search as the enviornment was not vulnerable.
known_false_positives: This search will provide information for investigation and hunting of lookup creation via user-supplied XSLT which may be indications of possible exploitation. There will be false positives as it is not possible to detect the payload executed via this exploit.
references:
    - https://advisory.splunk.com/advisories/SVD-2023-1104
analytic_story:
    - Splunk Vulnerabilities
asset_type: Endpoint
cve:
    - CVE-2023-46214
mitre_attack_id:
    - T1210
product:
    - Splunk Enterprise
    - Splunk Enterprise Security
    - Splunk Cloud
category: application
security_domain: endpoint
deprecation_info:
    reason: Detection has been deprecated because it's too generic and does not provide the ability to detect the payload executed via this exploit.
    removed_in_version: 6.4.0
    replacement_content: []