1. Gentoo Linux Security Advisory
| Advisory Reference | GLSA 200511-09 / lynx |
| Release Date | November 13, 2005 |
| Latest Revision | November 13, 2005: 01 |
| Impact | normal |
| Exploitable | remote |
| Package | Vulnerable versions | Unaffected versions | Architecture(s) |
| www-client/lynx | < 2.8.5-r2 | >= 2.8.5-r2 | All supported architectures |
Related bugreports: #112213
Lynx is vulnerable to an issue which allows the remote execution of arbitrary commands.
Lynx is a fully-featured WWW client for users running cursor-addressable, character-cell display devices such as vt100 terminals and terminal emulators.
iDefense labs discovered a problem within the feature to execute local cgi-bin programs via the "lynxcgi:" URI handler. Due to a configuration error, the default settings allow websites to specify commands to run as the user running Lynx.
A remote attacker can entice a user to access a malicious HTTP server, causing Lynx to execute arbitrary commands.
Disable "lynxcgi" links by specifying the following directive in lynx.cfg:
Code Listing 3.1: Workaround |
TRUSTED_LYNXCGI:none |
All Lynx users should upgrade to the latest version:
Code Listing 3.2: Resolution |
# emerge --sync # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=www-client/lynx-2.8.5-r2" |