# CVE-2011-1018: Command injection in n/a

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary commands on Logwatch servers by injecting shell metacharacters into log file names, such as via crafted Samba usernames.

- **Severity:** Critical 10.0 (`AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 25 Feb 2011
- **Updated:** 6 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** DEBIAN-CVE-2011-1018, DSA-2182-1, GHSA-g657-whx2-ph73, RHSA-2011:0324, openSUSE-SU-2024:10097-1

## What is CVE-2011-1018?

CVE-2011-1018 is a critical command injection vulnerability in n/a, published on 25 Feb 2011. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official 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.

Weakness: CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2011-1018?

It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `logwatch` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:5::server | All versions | 0:7.3-9.el5_6 |
| `logwatch` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::client | All versions | 0:7.3.6-49.el6 |
| `logwatch` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::computenode | All versions | 0:7.3.6-49.el6 |
| `logwatch` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::server | All versions | 0:7.3.6-49.el6 |
| `logwatch` | Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::workstation | All versions | 0:7.3.6-49.el6 |
| `logwatch` | openSUSE:Tumbleweed | All versions | 7.4.3-1.4 |

Products: Logwatch Logwatch.

## How do I fix CVE-2011-1018?

Apply the vendor's patch.

## Is CVE-2011-1018 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2011-1018 exists.

Public exploit code:

- Logwatch Log File - Special Characters Privilege Escalation (exploitdb)

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2002-0165](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2002-0165/): Privilege escalation in n/a (high 7.2)
- [CVE-2002-0162](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2002-0162/): Path traversal in n/a (medium 6.2)
- [CVE-2005-1061](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2005-1061/): Denial of service in n/a (medium 5.0)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2011-1018 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2011-1018 is a critical command injection vulnerability in n/a, published on 25 Feb 2011. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2011-1018 exists.

Affected product: n/a. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-1018/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-1018/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2011-1018
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2011-1018
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2011-1018

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-1018/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.