CVE-2026-20266: In Splunk AI Toolkit versions below 5.7.4, a user who holds the "admin" Splunk role could execute arbitrary OS

This month

CRITICAL 9.1UPGRADE

CVE-2026-20266 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.1) affecting ai toolkit. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

In Splunk AI Toolkit versions below 5.7.4, a user who holds the "admin" Splunk role could execute arbitrary OS commands on the host running the Splunk Enterprise instance. The vulnerability is possible because of an unsafe shell execution pattern in the btool configuration helper, which constructs OS command strings from dynamic parameters without disabling shell interpretation.

Why this priority

Critical severity

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.1 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	High
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.6% (top 50%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-78
Published	2026-06-17
Last modified	2026-10-26

Publisher (CNA): Cisco Systems, Inc. · Vendor: splunk

Last updated 2026-10-26 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-06-17 18:17 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-26 11:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

splunk ai toolkit UPGRADE

Affected: >= 5.7.0 and < 5.7.4

Fixed in: 5.7.4

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.7.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy ai-toolkit || rpm -q ai-toolkit || ai-toolkit --version

2. UPGRADE to 5.7.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade ai-toolkit

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade ai-toolkit

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.7.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison ai-toolkit sudo apt install ai-toolkit=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.7.0> sudo apt-mark hold ai-toolkit

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list ai-toolkit sudo dnf downgrade ai-toolkit-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.7.0> sudo dnf versionlock add ai-toolkit

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2026-20266?

ai toolkit: upgrade to 5.7.4. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-20266 being exploited?

CVE-2026-20266 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2026-20266 affect?

CVE-2026-20266 affects ai toolkit. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.1). In Splunk AI Toolkit versions below 5.7.4, a user who holds the "admin" Splunk role could execute arbitrary OS commands on the host running the Splunk Enterprise instance. The vulnerability is possible because of an unsafe shell executio

How urgent is CVE-2026-20266?

Priority 44/100. Critical severity

Software pages

Splunk vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-20265 MEDIUM 4.3 UPGRADE In Splunk AI Toolkit versions below 5.7.4, a low-privileged user that does not hold the "admin" or "power" Spl

References

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