GitHub Repo

Detection: Splunk Persistent XSS Via URL Validation Bypass W Dashboard

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This detection has been removed from the Splunk Threat Research content library and is no longer maintained or supported.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: 8a43558f-a53c-4ee4-86c1-30b1e8ef3606 Author: Rod Soto Type: Hunting Product: Splunk Enterprise Security

Description

The following analytic detects attempts to bypass URL validation in Splunk Enterprise versions below 9.0.4, 8.2.10, and 8.1.13 by targeting the vulnerable bootstrap version 2.3.1. It leverages splunkd_web logs, specifically monitoring GET requests to JavaScript files within the vulnerable bootstrap path. This activity is significant as it can allow a low-privileged user to perform path traversal, potentially accessing restricted and confidential information. If confirmed malicious, this could lead to unauthorized data access and compromise of sensitive information, including targeting admin users.

1`splunkd_web` method=GET uri_path="*bootstrap-2.3.1*" file="*.js" 
2| table _time clientip uri_path file status 
3| `splunk_persistent_xss_via_url_validation_bypass_w_dashboard_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_persistent_xss_via_url_validation_bypass_w_dashboard_filter ``
splunk_persistent_xss_via_url_validation_bypass_w_dashboard_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

CVE

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

This search does not require additional data to be ingested. This search requires ability to search _internal index. This search helps discover access to vulnerable bootstrap versions.

Known False Positives

This search will produce numerous false positives as it shows ANY accesses to vulnerable bootstrap Javascript files. Accesses to these files occur during normal Splunk usage. To reduce or eliminate false positives, update the a version of Splunk which has addressed the vulnerability.

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