CVE-2026-76401: An algorithm in a product has an inefficient worst-case computational complexity that may be detrimental to system performance and can be triggered by an attacker, typically using crafted manipulations that ensure that the worst case is being reached. in Splunk Splunk Connect for Kafka
CVE-2026-76401 is a medium severity vulnerability in Splunk Connect for Kafka versions below 2.2.7. An unauthenticated attacker with access to the Kafka Connect REST API can supply crafted regular expressions for timestamp extraction that cause inefficient processing. This triggers a worst-case computational complexity scenario, blocking a Kafka Connect worker thread and stopping event delivery for the affected connector.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
In Splunk Connect for Kafka versions prior to 2.2.7, the timestamp extraction feature evaluates customer-supplied regular expressions without enforcing a time limit. An unauthenticated attacker who can reach the Kafka Connect REST API can exploit this by providing crafted regular expressions and matching event data that cause the evaluation to enter an inefficient worst-case computational complexity. This results in blocking a Kafka Connect worker thread and halting event delivery for the targeted connector. The vulnerability arises from the lack of time limits on regex evaluation during timestamp extraction.
Potential Impact
Exploitation leads to denial of service on the affected Kafka Connect worker thread, stopping event delivery for the targeted connector. There is no impact on confidentiality or integrity. The vulnerability requires network access to the Kafka Connect REST API and has a high attack complexity due to the need for crafted regular expressions. No known exploits are reported in the wild.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until a fix is available, restrict unauthenticated access to the Kafka Connect REST API to trusted users only. Avoid using untrusted or user-supplied regular expressions for timestamp extraction. Monitor for unusual Kafka Connect worker thread blocking behavior.
CVE-2026-76401: An algorithm in a product has an inefficient worst-case computational complexity that may be detrimental to system performance and can be triggered by an attacker, typically using crafted manipulations that ensure that the worst case is being reached. in Splunk Splunk Connect for Kafka
Description
CVE-2026-76401 is a medium severity vulnerability in Splunk Connect for Kafka versions below 2.2.7. An unauthenticated attacker with access to the Kafka Connect REST API can supply crafted regular expressions for timestamp extraction that cause inefficient processing. This triggers a worst-case computational complexity scenario, blocking a Kafka Connect worker thread and stopping event delivery for the affected connector.
CVSS v3.1
Score 5.9medium
Affected software
pkg:maven/com.splunk/splunk-connect-for-kafkaRun on your own infrastructure? Check whether these packages are installed with threat-finder — our free open-source scanner.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
In Splunk Connect for Kafka versions prior to 2.2.7, the timestamp extraction feature evaluates customer-supplied regular expressions without enforcing a time limit. An unauthenticated attacker who can reach the Kafka Connect REST API can exploit this by providing crafted regular expressions and matching event data that cause the evaluation to enter an inefficient worst-case computational complexity. This results in blocking a Kafka Connect worker thread and halting event delivery for the targeted connector. The vulnerability arises from the lack of time limits on regex evaluation during timestamp extraction.
Potential Impact
Exploitation leads to denial of service on the affected Kafka Connect worker thread, stopping event delivery for the targeted connector. There is no impact on confidentiality or integrity. The vulnerability requires network access to the Kafka Connect REST API and has a high attack complexity due to the need for crafted regular expressions. No known exploits are reported in the wild.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until a fix is available, restrict unauthenticated access to the Kafka Connect REST API to trusted users only. Avoid using untrusted or user-supplied regular expressions for timestamp extraction. Monitor for unusual Kafka Connect worker thread blocking behavior.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- cisco
- Date Reserved
- 2026-08-19T12:02:03.632Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a862261acd9273b49a7049f
Added to database: 08/19/2026, 21:38:41 UTC
Last enriched: 08/19/2026, 21:53:10 UTC
Last updated: 08/20/2026, 01:39:30 UTC
Views: 8
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