Description
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.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | logwatch | 7.3.6.cvs20090906-2 | — |
| Debian 13 | logwatch | 7.3.6.cvs20090906-2 | — |
| Debian 12 | logwatch | 7.3.6.cvs20090906-2 | — |
| Debian 6.0 | logwatch | 7.3.6.cvs20090906-1squeeze1 | DSA-2182-1 |
| Debian 5.0 | logwatch | 7.3.6.cvs20080702-2lenny1 | DSA-2182-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 6 | logwatch | 7.3.6-49.el6 | RHSA-2011:0324 |
| RHEL 5 | logwatch | 7.3-9.el5_6 | RHSA-2011:0324 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | logwatch | 7.4.3-1.4 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10097-1 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Exploit-DB 1
- Logwatch Log File - Special Characters Privilege Escalation EDB-35386 · remote · Feb 24, 2011 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 3
- RHSA-2011:0324 Red Hat Security Advisory: logwatch security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- DSA-2182-1 logwatch - remote code execution Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10097-1 logwatch-7.4.3-1.4 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- [oss-security] 20110224 Re: CVE Request -- logwatch: Privilege escalation due improper sanitization of special characters in log file names mailing-list
- http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?func=detail&aid=3184223&group_id=312875&atid=1316824
- ADV-2011-0581 vdb-entry
- 43495 third-party-advisory
- FEDORA-2011-2318 vendor-advisory
- DSA-2182 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2011-2396 vendor-advisory
- 43356 third-party-advisory
- ADV-2011-0533 vdb-entry
- SUSE-SR:2011:005 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20110224 CVE Request -- logwatch: Privilege escalation due improper sanitization of special characters in log file names mailing-list
- 43644 third-party-advisory
- RHSA-2011:0324 vendor-advisory
- 43622 third-party-advisory
- 46554 vdb-entry
- http://logwatch.svn.sourceforge.net/viewvc/logwatch/scripts/logwatch.pl?r1=3&r2=26&pathrev=26
- USN-1078-1 vendor-advisory
- ADV-2011-0596 vdb-entry
- FEDORA-2011-2328 vendor-advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=680237
- [Logwatch-devel] 20110216 Remote command execution issue with root privileges mailing-list
- 43734 third-party-advisory
- 1025165 vdb-entry