GitHub Repo

Detection: Splunk Enterprise Windows Deserialization File Partition

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This detection has been removed from the Splunk Threat Research content library and is no longer maintained or supported.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: 947d4d2e-1b64-41fc-b32a-736ddb88ce97 Author: Rod Soto, Eric McGinnis, Chase Franklin Type: TTP Product: Splunk Enterprise Security

Description

The following analytic identifies attempts to exploit a deserialization vulnerability in Splunk Enterprise for Windows versions below 9.0.8 and 9.1.3. It detects irregular path file executions by analyzing splunk_python logs and extracting file paths and names. This activity is significant because it indicates potential exploitation of a known vulnerability, which could lead to arbitrary code execution. If confirmed malicious, an attacker could gain unauthorized access, execute arbitrary code, and potentially compromise the entire Splunk environment, leading to data breaches and further system exploitation.

1`splunk_python` request_path="/*/app/search/C:\\Program" *strings* 
2| rex "request_path=(?<file_path>[^\"]+)" 
3| rex field=file_path "[^\"]+/(?<file_name>[^\"\'\s/\\\\]+)" 
4| stats min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime values(file_path) as file_path values(file_name) as file_name by index, sourcetype, host 
5| `security_content_ctime(firstTime)` 
6| `security_content_ctime(lastTime)` 
7| `splunk_enterprise_windows_deserialization_file_partition_filter`

Data Source

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

Macros Used

Name Value
splunk_python index=_internal sourcetype=splunk_python
splunk_enterprise_windows_deserialization_file_partition_filter ``
splunk_enterprise_windows_deserialization_file_partition_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
T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application 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
TTP detections generate a Finding (Notable) and may generate Intermediate Findings (Risk Events) for associated entities.

Implementation

Requires access to internal indexes. This detection search will display irregular path file execution, which will display exploit attempts. Only applies to Microsoft Windows Splunk versions.

Known False Positives

Irregular path with files that may be purposely called for benign reasons may produce false positives.

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
Integration 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: 7