CVE-2023-22941 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-22941, assigned by Splunk, was published on February 14, 2023. It involves an improperly formatted 'INGEST_EVAL' parameter in a Field Transformation that crashes the Splunk daemon in certain versions of Splunk Enterprise.

Understanding CVE-2023-22941

This section provides an overview of the vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-22941?

CVE-2023-22941 pertains to a vulnerability in Splunk Enterprise versions below 8.1.13, 8.2.10, and 9.0.4, where a specific parameter in Field Transformation can lead to a crash in the Splunk daemon (splunkd).

The Impact of CVE-2023-22941

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it can disrupt operations by causing a crash in the Splunk daemon. An attacker could potentially exploit this issue to cause a denial of service.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-22941

In this section, we delve into the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from an improperly formatted 'INGEST_EVAL' parameter in a Field Transformation, leading to a crash in the Splunk daemon (splunkd).

Affected Systems and Versions

Splunk Enterprise versions below 8.1.13, 8.2.10, and 9.0.4 are affected by this vulnerability, along with Splunk Cloud Platform versions less than 9.0.2212.

Exploitation Mechanism

By manipulating the 'INGEST_EVAL' parameter in Field Transformation, an attacker can trigger the vulnerability, causing a crash in the Splunk daemon.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-22941, certain immediate steps can be taken, along with the adoption of long-term security practices and timely patching.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Splunk Enterprise versions to 8.1.13, 8.2.10, and 9.0.4 or newer, to address the vulnerability.
Implement proper input validation checks to prevent the exploitation of the 'INGEST_EVAL' parameter.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch Splunk software to ensure all known vulnerabilities are addressed promptly.
Conduct security training for personnel to enhance awareness of potential risks and best practices.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Splunk and promptly apply patches to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
Monitor official sources for any new information or updates related to CVE-2023-22941 to stay ahead of potential threats.