CVE-2026-76401: splunk connect_for_kafka Inefficient Algorithmic Complexity

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2026-76401 is a medium (CVSS 5.9) Inefficient Algorithmic Complexity vulnerability in splunk connect_for_kafka. EPSS estimates a 0.38% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 30.6% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 19-08-2026
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 20-08-2026
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

In Splunk Connect for Kafka versions below 2.2.7, an unauthenticated user who can reach the Kafka Connect Representational State Transfer (REST) API could configure timestamp extraction with a crafted regular expression and matching event data to block a Kafka Connect worker thread, stopping event delivery for the affected connector. The vulnerability is possible because timestamp extraction evaluates customer-supplied regular expressions without a time limit. 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) and Data ingestion parameters for Splunk Connect for Kafka (https://help.splunk.com/en/data-management/integrate-data-with-add-ons/splunk-connect-for-kafka/2.2/overview/data-ingestion-parameters-for-splunk-connect-for-kafka) in the Splunk documentation.

• CWE-407Inefficient Algorithmic ComplexityAn 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.