[ GLSA 200511-09 ] Lynx: Arbitrary command execution

[GLSA]

Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Title: Lynx: Arbitrary command execution (GLSA 200511-09)
Severity: normal
Exploitable: remote
Date: November 13, 2005
Bug(s): #112213
ID: 200511-09

Synopsis


Lynx is vulnerable to an issue which allows 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: www-client/lynx
Vulnerable: < 2.8.5-r2
Unaffected: >= 2.8.5-r2
Architectures: All supported architectures


Description


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.


Impact


A remote attacker can entice a user to access a malicious HTTP
server, causing Lynx to execute arbitrary commands.


Workaround


Disable "lynxcgi" links by specifying the following directive in
lynx.cfg: