Description
gdu fails to strip terminal escape sequences from directory and file names when printing paths after TUI exit. Attackers can craft malicious directory or file names containing escape sequences that are interpreted by the terminal, enabling title spoofing, clipboard manipulation, or other terminal-dependent effects.
Published: 2026-08-13
Score: 4.8 Medium
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
AI Analysis

Impact

The gdu program fails to strip terminal escape sequences from directory and file names when it prints them after exiting the TUI. An attacker can create or place maliciously crafted names containing ANSI escape codes in directories or files. When gdu displays those names, the terminal interprets the escape codes, allowing title spoofing, clipboard manipulation, or other terminal-dependent effects. The vulnerability does not provide direct code execution but can mislead users or alter terminal behavior during a session.

Affected Systems

The vulnerability affects the gdu utility developed by Dundee. No version information is listed, so all current releases prior to the recent fix are considered vulnerable. Users running any gdu installation that has not applied the upstream patch or upgrade are impacted.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 4.8 indicates moderate risk. The EPSS score of 0.00119 (less than 1%) reflects a very low likelihood of exploitation, and the vulnerability is not listed in CISA KEV. The likely attack vector is local; an attacker who can place files or directories with crafted names on a disk that the user scans with gdu can trigger the terminal effect when the paths are displayed. The vulnerability exploits normal gdu display logic without special privileges, making it relatively easy to abuse in a trusted user context.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 15, 2026 at 02:50 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Upgrade gdu to the latest version that includes the escape‑sequence stripping fix (commit fe605ecd9ad0e0f1c7ba84131ddfa1c83c52406f).
  • If upgrade is not possible, use a wrapper script that sanitises file and directory names by stripping ANSI escape codes before passing them to gdu.
  • Restrict file system exposure by giving read‑only access to directories scanned by gdu to trusted users, preventing malicious names from being created by untrusted actors.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 15, 2026 at 02:50 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

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History

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 00:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-838
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

threat_severity

Moderate


Fri, 14 Aug 2026 20:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Fri, 14 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Dundee
Dundee gdu
Vendors & Products Dundee
Dundee gdu

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 21:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description gdu fails to strip terminal escape sequences from directory and file names when printing paths after TUI exit. Attackers can craft malicious directory or file names containing escape sequences that are interpreted by the terminal, enabling title spoofing, clipboard manipulation, or other terminal-dependent effects.
Title gdu Terminal Injection via Unstripped Escape Sequences
Weaknesses CWE-116
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N'}

cvssV4_0

{'score': 4.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:L/SI:L/SA:N'}


cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: VulnCheck

Published:

Updated: 2026-08-14T19:36:14.616Z

Reserved: 2026-08-12T18:19:17.024Z

Link: CVE-2026-73480

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-08-14T19:36:11.201Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-08-13T21:18:32.187

Modified: 2026-08-14T20:16:57.617

Link: CVE-2026-73480

cve-icon Redhat

Severity : Moderate

Publid Date: 2026-08-13T21:07:18Z

Links: CVE-2026-73480 - Bugzilla

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-08-15T03:00:05Z

Weaknesses
  • CWE-116

    Improper Encoding or Escaping of Output

  • CWE-838

    Inappropriate Encoding for Output Context