minimal example (reproducible with version "gnuplot 4.6 patchlevel 0" on debian wheezy):
f(x)=x
set cbrange [1.0:1000.0]
set xrange [1.0:1000.0]
set log cb
set object 1 rect from graph 0.8,0.8 to graph 0.7,0.7 fs solid fc palette cb 1.0
plot '+' u 1:(f($1)):(f($1)) w l lc palette z
in case of the default palette, the rectangle should be filled with black color if the "palette cb <value>" colorspec would work as documented.
however, the rectangle is filled with violet, corresponding to cb value around 10.0
Diff:
Fixed now.
4.6
5.0
5.1