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CVE-2026-76403

HIGH 7.4

Published 2026-08-19 · Last modified 2026-08-20

In Splunk Connect for Kafka versions below 2.2.7, an unauthenticated user positioned in the network path could read or alter all relevant data sent from the connector when Kerberos authentication is used with Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) Event Collector in Splunk Enterprise. The vulnerability is possible because the Kerberos authentication path does not apply the configured certificate validation options when it builds the HTTP client. For more information see Install Splunk Connect for Kafka (https://help.splunk.com/en/data-management/integrate-data-with-add-ons/splunk-connect-for-kafka/2.2/install/install-splunk-connect-for-kafka), Security configurations for Splunk Connect for Kafka (https://help.splunk.com/en/splunk-enterprise/get-data-in/splunk-connect-for-kafka/2.2/configure/security-configurations-for-splunk-connect-for-kafka), and Set up and use HTTP Event Collector with configuration files (https://help.splunk.com/en/splunk-enterprise/get-data-in/get-started-with-getting-data-in/9.4/get-data-with-http-event-collector/set-up-and-use-http-event-collector-with-configuration-files) in the Splunk documentation.

ELEVATED IMPACT

Severe if exploited (CVSS 7.4), but no known exploitation and low modeled probability. Patch on a normal cadence.

Exploitation likelihood

0.2%chance of exploitation in 30 days · 9th percentile

○ In CISA KEV ○ Public exploit / PoC

Impact if exploited

7.4CVSS 3.1 · HIGH

  • ConfidentialityHigh
  • IntegrityHigh
  • AvailabilityNone

What an attacker needs

  • ✓Access: Reachable over the network — no local access needed
  • ✓Privileges: No account or privileges required
  • ✓User interaction: No user interaction needed
  • ⚠Complexity: Needs a race window or specific setup

✓ lowers the bar for an attacker · ⚠ raises it

Proof of concept & exploit code

Test against your own equipment

curl -s https://vulnpedia.com/cve/CVE-2026-76403/poc.jsonMachine-readable PoC index for this CVE (for automation).

Listed for defensive triage, patch verification, and authorized testing on systems you own. Machine-readable: /cve/CVE-2026-76403/poc.json

Affected

Vendors Splunk

Products Splunk Connect For Kafka

Weakness (CWE)

  • CWE-295: The software does not validate, or incorrectly validates, a certificate.

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

All CVSS metrics

  • HIGH 7.4 v3.1 · CNA Primary
    CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
  • HIGH 7.4 v3.1 · NVD Secondary
    CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

References

Technical & other

Sources: NVD · CVE.org · EPSS