CVE-2026-76266 Local Privilege Escalation through Linux Package Upgrades in Splunk Enterprise
A local user can escalate privileges to root by modifying Splunk installation files before a package upgrade triggers root-level command execution.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- An administrator
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- A user has to click or open something
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-76266?
CVE-2026-76266 is a high-severity vulnerability in Splunk Splunk, published on 7 Oct 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Official description
In Splunk Enterprise versions below 10.4.3, 10.2.7, 10.0.10, and 9.4.15 on Linux, a local user who can run commands as the user account running Splunk Enterprise could cause an affected Linux package upgrade to run attacker-controlled operating-system commands with root privileges. The vulnerability is possible because the Linux package maintainer script trusts existing Splunk Enterprise installation content when it performs upgrade operations with root privileges. The vulnerability requires an affected Linux package upgrade to occur after the local user modifies the installation. The local user should not be able to elevate privileges at will.
Weakness: CWE-269
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-76266?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Splunk Splunk.
How do I fix CVE-2026-76266?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-76266 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Is CVE-2026-76266 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-76266 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Splunk Splunk
- CVE-2026-20253 Splunk Enterprise Missing Authentication for Critical Function
- CVE-2026-76268 Missing Authentication for Critical Function in the Patroni REST API in Splunk Enterprise
- CVE-2026-76284 Improper Neutralization in Splunk Enterprise
- CVE-2026-76285 Improper Adherence to Coding Standards in Splunk Enterprise
- CVE-2017-17067 Auth bypass in n/a
Sources
Also known as GHSA-8pcj-88pc-fvhf.