GitHub Repo

Detection: Splunk Reflected XSS on App Search Table Endpoint

REMOVED DETECTION

This detection has been removed from the Splunk Threat Research content library and is no longer maintained or supported.

Reason: Detection is deprecated as the associated CVEs have been patched in the latest Splunk release.

Removed in version: 5.6.0

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at research@splunk.com.

Updated Date: 2026-05-14 ID: 182f9080-4137-4629-94ac-cb1083ac981a Author: Rod Soto Type: Hunting Product: Splunk Enterprise Security

Description

The following analytic identifies attempts to exploit a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability on the app search table endpoint in Splunk Enterprise versions below 9.1.1, 9.0.6, and 8.2.12. It detects this activity by analyzing web request logs for specific dataset commands (makeresults, count, eval, baseSPL) within the splunkd_web index. This activity is significant because successful exploitation can lead to the execution of arbitrary commands on the Splunk platform, potentially compromising the entire instance. If confirmed malicious, attackers could gain unauthorized access, execute arbitrary code, and manipulate data within the Splunk environment.

1`splunkd_web` (dataset_commands="*makeresults*" AND dataset_commands="*count*" AND dataset_commands="*eval*" AND dataset_commands="*baseSPL*") 
2| stats count min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime by clientip status user view root uri_path 
3| `security_content_ctime(firstTime)`
4| `security_content_ctime(lastTime)` 
5| `splunk_reflected_xss_on_app_search_table_endpoint_filter`

Data Source

Name Platform Sourcetype Source
Splunk Splunk icon Splunk 'splunkd_ui_access' 'splunkd_ui_access.log'

Macros Used

Name Value
splunkd_web index=_internal sourcetype=splunk_web_access
splunk_reflected_xss_on_app_search_table_endpoint_filter ``
splunk_reflected_xss_on_app_search_table_endpoint_filter is an empty macro by default. It allows the user to filter out any results (false positives) without editing the SPL.

Annotations

- MITRE ATT&CK
+ Kill Chain Phases
+ NIST
+ CIS
- Threat Actors
ID Technique Tactic
T1189 Drive-by Compromise Initial Access

Default Configuration

This detection is configured by default in Splunk Enterprise Security to run with the following settings:

Setting Value
Disabled true
Cron Schedule N/A
Earliest Time N/A
Latest Time N/A
Schedule Window N/A
Creates Finding (Notable) No
Creates Intermediate Finding (Risk Event) No
Hunting detections do not generate a Finding (Notable) or Intermediate Findings (Risk Events).

Implementation

Need access to the internal indexes.

Known False Positives

This search will produce false positives. It is necessary to also look at uri_query parameter to determine the possible malicious intention of inserting makeresults within the uri string.

Associated Analytic Story

References

Detection Testing

Test Type Status Dataset Source Sourcetype
Validation Not Applicable N/A N/A N/A
Unit Not Applicable N/A N/A N/A

Replay any dataset to Splunk Enterprise by using our replay.py tool or the UI. Alternatively you can replay a dataset into a Splunk Attack Range

Source: GitHub |

Version: 6