CVE-2022-32156 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A security vulnerability has been identified in Splunk Enterprise and Universal Forwarder CLI connections. Here is a detailed overview of CVE-2022-32156.

Understanding CVE-2022-32156

This CVE highlights a flaw in Splunk-related versions that could impact the validation of TLS certificates in CLI connections.

What is CVE-2022-32156?

In Splunk Enterprise and Universal Forwarder versions prior to 9.0, the CLI did not validate TLS certificates when connecting to remote Splunk platform instances.

The Impact of CVE-2022-32156

The vulnerability rates the complexity of the attack as High due to conditions beyond the potential bad actor's control, such as a machine-in-the-middle attack.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-32156

Here are some technical details associated with CVE-2022-32156:

Vulnerability Description

The issue affects CLI connections in versions before 9.0, where TLS certificates were not validated by default. The vulnerability does not impact the Splunk Cloud Platform.

Affected Systems and Versions

Splunk Enterprise and Universal Forwarder versions prior to 9.0 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability could be exploited through scenarios involving network complexities, impacting confidentiality and integrity with no user interaction required.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2022-32156, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

After updating to version 9.0, configure TLS hostname validation for the Splunk CLI to mitigate the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Ensure your Splunk environment is secured with hardened TLS configurations to prevent potential exploits.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates provided by Splunk to address vulnerabilities.