[ GLSA 200510-15 ] Lynx: Buffer overflow in NNTP processing

[GLSA]

Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Title: Lynx: Buffer overflow in NNTP processing (GLSA 200510-15)
Severity: normal
Exploitable: remote
Date: October 17, 2005
Bug(s): #108451
ID: 200510-15

Synopsis


Lynx contains a buffer overflow that may be exploited to execute arbitrary
code.


Background


Lynx is a text-mode browser for the World Wide Web. It supports
multiple URL types, including HTTP and NNTP URLs.


Affected Packages

Package: www-client/lynx
Vulnerable: < 2.8.5-r1
Unaffected: >= 2.8.5-r1
Architectures: All supported architectures


Description


When accessing a NNTP URL, Lynx connects to a NNTP server and
retrieves information about the available articles in the target
newsgroup. Ulf Harnhammar discovered a buffer overflow in a function
that handles the escaping of special characters.


Impact


An attacker could setup a malicious NNTP server and entice a user
to access it using Lynx (either by creating NNTP links on a web page or
by forcing a redirect for Lynx users). The data returned by the NNTP
server would trigger the buffer overflow and execute arbitrary code
with the rights of the user running Lynx.


Workaround


There is no known workaround at this time.


Resolution


All Lynx users should upgrade to the latest version: