CVE-2026-49980: Rclone unauthenticated command execution in rcd via inline remotes

CVE-2026-49980 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Published 2026-06-24

Rclone is a command-line tool used to synchronize files between local storage and various cloud providers. A security flaw in its remote control interface allows an unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands or read local files on the system where Rclone is running. This could lead to a full system compromise, data theft, or unauthorized access to cloud storage credentials.

Technologies: github.com/rclone/rclone (Go), Rclone. Vendors: Go, Rclone.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2026-49980 exploited in the wild?
No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-49980 being exploited in the wild.
How severe is CVE-2026-49980?
Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 24 June 2026.
Which products and versions are affected?
github.com/ncw/rclone (Go) SEMVER:introduced=1.46.0; github.com/rclone/rclone (Go) >= 1.46.0, <= 1.74.2, SEMVER:introduced=1.46.0,fixed=1.74.3, SEMVER:introduced=1.49.0,fixed=1.74.3; Rclone >= 1.46.0, < 1.74.3, >= 1.46.0, <= 1.74.2.
Is there a fix for CVE-2026-49980?
Yes. github.com/rclone/rclone (Go): upgrade to 1.74.3 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.
How is CVE-2026-49980 attacked?
It is attacked over the network, in a software library.
Am I affected by CVE-2026-49980?
Check whether you run github.com/ncw/rclone (Go), github.com/rclone/rclone (Go) or Rclone at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

How to fix

  • github.com/rclone/rclone (Go): upgrade to 1.74.3 or later
    go get github.com/rclone/rclone@v1.74.3

Technical details

Rclone's remote control daemon (rcd), when started with the --rc-serve flag, fails to properly authenticate GET and HEAD requests to paths using the /[remote:path]/object format. An attacker can provide a specially crafted 'remote' value containing inline configuration options that trigger backend initialization. In versions 1.55.0 through 1.74.2, these inline options can be used to execute local commands via backend-specific parameters. In earlier versions (starting from 1.46.0), the flaw can be used to read local files. The vulnerability is exploitable over the network if the RC API is exposed, or via cross-site subresource requests (e.g., an <img> tag) if the API is bound to localhost. The issue is resolved in version 1.74.3.

Affected products

  • rclone rclone >= 1.46.0, < 1.74.3

Identifiers

  • CVE-2026-49980
  • GHSA-qw24-gh76-8rvv
  • GO-2026-5596

Timeline

  • 2026-06-05: advisory: GitHub Security Advisory published
  • 2026-06-24: disclosed: NVD publication date
  • 2026-06-24: patched: Fix released in version 1.74.3

References

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