CVE-2023-46230 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting versions of the Splunk Add-on Builder prior to 4.1.4. The core issue involves the application writing sensitive information to internal log files. These logs, which are typically used for troubleshooting and monitoring, inadvertently contain data that could be exploited by attackers. The sensitive information exposed may include credentials, tokens, or other user-specific details that provide valuable guidance for further attacks. The vulnerability is characterized by a CVSS score of 8.2, indicating a high impact. The CVSS vector (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:L/A:L) reveals that the vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network (AV:N) with low attack complexity (AC:L), but requires high privileges (PR:H) and no user interaction (UI:N). The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. The impact on confidentiality is high (C:H), integrity is low (I:L), and availability is low (A:L). Although no known exploits are currently in the wild, the nature of the vulnerability—exposure of sensitive data through logs—makes it a significant risk, especially in environments where logs are accessible or insufficiently protected. This vulnerability could facilitate privilege escalation or lateral movement within compromised environments by revealing critical information to attackers.

For European organizations, the exposure of sensitive information in Splunk Add-on Builder logs can have severe consequences. Many enterprises and public sector entities across Europe rely on Splunk for security information and event management (SIEM) and operational intelligence. The leakage of sensitive data could lead to unauthorized access to internal systems, data breaches, or compliance violations under regulations such as GDPR. Confidentiality breaches could expose personal data or intellectual property, leading to financial penalties and reputational damage. The vulnerability’s requirement for high privileges means that attackers would likely need to have already compromised an account with elevated rights, but once exploited, the attacker could gain further footholds or escalate privileges. This risk is particularly critical for organizations handling sensitive personal data, critical infrastructure, or financial information. Additionally, the exposure of sensitive logs could aid attackers in crafting more effective attacks or evading detection, undermining the overall security posture of affected organizations.

European organizations should prioritize upgrading the Splunk Add-on Builder to version 4.1.4 or later, where this vulnerability is addressed. Until patching is possible, organizations should implement strict access controls on log files, ensuring that only authorized personnel and systems can read or modify them. Encrypting log storage and transmissions can reduce the risk of unauthorized access. Organizations should audit their current logging configurations to identify and minimize the logging of sensitive information where feasible. Implementing robust monitoring and alerting on access to log files can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, reviewing and limiting the number of users with high privileges in Splunk environments reduces the attack surface. Employing network segmentation and zero-trust principles around Splunk infrastructure can further contain potential breaches. Finally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments and penetration tests focusing on log management and access controls to identify and remediate weaknesses proactively.