Rclone: Unauthenticated command execution in `rclone rcd --rc-serve` via inline remote instantiation, bypassing CVE-2026-41179 fix (CVE-2026-49980)
Rclone is a command-line program to sync files and directories to and from different cloud storage providers. From 1.46.0 until 1.74.3, rclone rcd --rc-serve accepts unauthenticated GET and HEAD requests to paths of the form: /[remote:path]/object. The remote value is parsed from the URL and passed to normal backend initialization. Inline remote configuration can set backend options that execute local commands during initialization. As a result, a single unauthenticated GET or HEAD request can execute a command as the rclone process user. This vulnerability is fixed in 1.74.3.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
Rclone is a command-line tool for syncing files with cloud storage providers. Versions 1.46.0 through 1.74.2 have a critical vulnerability in the rcd --rc-serve component where unauthenticated GET and HEAD HTTP requests to paths formatted as /[remote:path]/object allow the remote parameter to be parsed and passed to backend initialization. Inline remote configuration can specify backend options that execute local commands during initialization, enabling remote command execution without authentication. This vulnerability is resolved in version 1.74.3.
Potential Impact
An unauthenticated remote attacker can execute arbitrary commands on the system running the vulnerable rclone process, with the privileges of the rclone user. This can lead to full compromise of the affected system, including confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade rclone to version 1.74.3 or later to remediate this vulnerability. No other mitigations are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Rclone: Unauthenticated command execution in `rclone rcd --rc-serve` via inline remote instantiation, bypassing CVE-2026-41179 fix (CVE-2026-49980)
Description
Rclone is a command-line program to sync files and directories to and from different cloud storage providers. From 1.46.0 until 1.74.3, rclone rcd --rc-serve accepts unauthenticated GET and HEAD requests to paths of the form: /[remote:path]/object. The remote value is parsed from the URL and passed to normal backend initialization. Inline remote configuration can set backend options that execute local commands during initialization. As a result, a single unauthenticated GET or HEAD request can execute a command as the rclone process user. This vulnerability is fixed in 1.74.3.
Affected software
pkg:deb/ubuntu/[email protected]?arch=source&distro=bionicpkg:deb/ubuntu/[email protected]+esm1?arch=source&distro=esm-apps/focalpkg:deb/ubuntu/[email protected]?arch=source&distro=jammypkg:deb/ubuntu/[email protected]+dfsg-3ubuntu0.24.04.6?arch=source&distro=noblepkg:deb/ubuntu/[email protected]+dfsg-4ubuntu2.1?arch=source&distro=questingpkg:deb/ubuntu/[email protected]+dfsg-4ubuntu3.2?arch=source&distro=resoluteRun on your own infrastructure? Check whether these packages are installed with threat-finder — our free open-source scanner.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
Rclone is a command-line tool for syncing files with cloud storage providers. Versions 1.46.0 through 1.74.2 have a critical vulnerability in the rcd --rc-serve component where unauthenticated GET and HEAD HTTP requests to paths formatted as /[remote:path]/object allow the remote parameter to be parsed and passed to backend initialization. Inline remote configuration can specify backend options that execute local commands during initialization, enabling remote command execution without authentication. This vulnerability is resolved in version 1.74.3.
Potential Impact
An unauthenticated remote attacker can execute arbitrary commands on the system running the vulnerable rclone process, with the privileges of the rclone user. This can lead to full compromise of the affected system, including confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade rclone to version 1.74.3 or later to remediate this vulnerability. No other mitigations are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- UBUNTU-CVE-2026-49980
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.7.0
- Ecosystems
- ["Ubuntu:18.04:LTS","Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS","Ubuntu:22.04:LTS","Ubuntu:24.04:LTS","Ubuntu:25.10","Ubuntu:26.04:LTS"]
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
Threat ID: 6a6bde219c2644c7f8dcb7b3
Added to database: 07/30/2026, 23:28:33 UTC
Last enriched: 08/10/2026, 19:26:42 UTC
Last updated: 09/13/2026, 10:01:31 UTC
Views: 53
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