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TI-2026-73471 Aliases CVE-2026-55601

MultiTail: Shell injection in execute-on-match command handling

Priority HIGH 67CWE-78Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
Local
Privileges required
Low
User interaction
Required
Attack complexity
Low
Impact type
Code execution
Confidentiality · integrity · availability
High · High · High
Fix status
No fix listed

Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-78.

Summary

MultiTail, a utility for monitoring multiple log files in one terminal, contains an OS command injection flaw (CWE-78) in its -ex and -eX execute-on-match feature in versions 7.1.5 and earlier. The feature appends matched input, which an attacker can influence, inside double quotes to a configured command. check_filter_exec() in mt.c passes the result through execute_program() in exec.c to sh -c, and partial escaping leaves shell metacharacters such as command substitution active, so an attacker can run commands as the user running MultiTail. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.3 (HIGH).

Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-10-28

Description from the CNA

MultiTail is a utility for monitoring multiple log files in one terminal. In version 7.1.5 and earlier, the -ex and -eX execute-on-match feature appended attacker-controlled matched input to a configured command inside double quotes, then check_filter_exec() in mt.c passed the constructed command through execute_program() in exec.c to sh -c. Partial escaping left shell metacharacters such as command substitution active, allowing an attacker who could influence monitored input to execute commands as the user running MultiTail. No fixed release is available as of this review.

Why it matters now

Exploitation Proof of concept CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.00214 11th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix No fix listed No fixed version in the sources yet

SSVC decision points

CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3

Exploitation
Poc
Automatable
No
Technical impact
Total

The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.

Affected products

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
folkertvanheusdenmultitailup to 7.1.5—No fix listedCNA
  • multitail Vendorfolkertvanheusden Affected up to 7.1.5 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA

Remediation

No fixed release is available as of this review. Until one is published, avoid the -ex and -eX options for monitored input an attacker can influence.

Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-10-28

Vendor assessments

Red Hat

Red Hat's page for this CVE →

Not affected: 1 product
  • Red Hat

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-13 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-55601
  2. 2026-10-16 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
  3. 2026-10-16 CVSS score added · Red Hat

References

Other 3

Sources

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences