logwatch.pl in Logwatch 7.3.6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via…
Priority MEDIUM 61CWE-20Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- — Not recorded in CVSS 2.0
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- Complete · Complete · Complete
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 2.0 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat.
Summary
logwatch.pl in Logwatch 7.3.6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in a log file name, as demonstrated via a crafted username to a Samba server.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.18321 97th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Fixed Red Hat: 1 advisory
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | all versions | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- — Vendor— Affected all versions Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
Remediation
Red Hat 1 advisory
- RHSA-2011:0324 Released 2011-03-07 · Red Hat rating Importantlogwatch security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux (v. 5.6.z server) logwatch-7.3-9.el5_6
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop (v. 6) logwatch-7.3.6-49.el6
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux HPC Node (v. 6) logwatch-7.3.6-49.el6
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 6) logwatch-7.3.6-49.el6
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 6) logwatch-7.3.6-49.el6
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Important. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux (v. 5.6.z server) | Fixed | RHSA-2011:0324 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop (v. 6) | Fixed | RHSA-2011:0324 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux HPC Node (v. 6) | Fixed | RHSA-2011:0324 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 6) | Fixed | RHSA-2011:0324 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 6) | Fixed | RHSA-2011:0324 |
Not affected: 1 product
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2011-1018
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-g657-whx2-ph73
References
Patch 5
- [oss-security] 20110224 Re: CVE Request -- logwatch: Privilege escalation due improper sanitization of special characters in log file names
- http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?func=detail&aid=3184223&group_id=312875&atid=1316824
- [oss-security] 20110224 CVE Request -- logwatch: Privilege escalation due improper sanitization of special characters in log file names
- http://logwatch.svn.sourceforge.net/viewvc/logwatch/scripts/logwatch.pl?r1=3&r2=26&pathrev=26
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=680237
Advisory 7
More Logwatch vulnerabilities
- TI-2002-00159 LogWatch 2.5 allows local users to gain root privileges via a symlink attack, a different… CVSS 2.0HIGH 7.2
- TI-2002-00156 LogWatch before 2.5 allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a symlink attack on… CVSS 2.0MEDIUM 6.2
- TI-2005-00999 The secure script in LogWatch before 2.6-2 allows attackers to prevent LogWatch from… CVSS 2.0MEDIUM 5.0
Sources
- CVE-2011-1018 · CVE Program
- CVE-2011-1018 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-g657-whx2-ph73 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2011-1018 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences