GLSA 200909-15: Lynx: Arbitrary command execution

http://security.gentoo.org/

Severity:	normal
Title:	Lynx: Arbitrary command execution
Date:	09/12/2009
Bugs:	#243058
ID:	200909-15

Synopsis

An incomplete fix for an issue related to the Lynx URL handler might allow for the remote execution of arbitrary commands.

Background

Lynx is a fully-featured WWW client for users running cursor-addressable, character-cell display devices such as vt100 terminals and terminal emulators.

Affected packages

Package	Vulnerable	Unaffected	Architecture(s)
www-client/lynx	< 2.8.6-r4	>= 2.8.6-r4	All supported architectures

Description

Clint Ruoho reported that the fix for CVE-2005-2929 (GLSA 200511-09) only disabled the lynxcgi:// handler when not using the advanced mode.

Impact

A remote attacker can entice a user to access a malicious HTTP server, causing Lynx to execute arbitrary commands. NOTE: The advanced mode is not enabled by default. Successful exploitation requires the "lynxcgi://" protocol to be registered with lynx on the victim's system.

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All Lynx users should upgrade to the latest version:

    # emerge --sync
    # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=www-client/lynx-2.8.6-r4"

References

Availability

This GLSA and any updates to it are available for viewing at the Gentoo Security Website: http://security.gentoo.org/glsa/glsa-200909-15.xml

Concerns?

Security is a primary focus of Gentoo Linux and ensuring the confidentiality and security of our users machines is of utmost importance to us. Any security concerns should be addressed to security@gentoo.org or alternatively, you may file a bug at https://bugs.gentoo.org.