10 - RHSA-2008:0965

Problem Description:

An updated lynx package that corrects two security issues is now available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 2.1, 3, 4, and 5.

This update has been rated as having important security impact by the Red Hat Security Response Team.

2. Relevant releases/architectures:

Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS (Advanced Server) version 2.1 - i386, ia64 Red Hat Linux Advanced Workstation 2.1 - ia64 Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES version 2.1 - i386 Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS version 2.1 - i386 Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS version 3 - i386, ia64, ppc, s390, s390x, x86_64 Red Hat Desktop version 3 - i386, x86_64 Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES version 3 - i386, ia64, x86_64 Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS version 3 - i386, ia64, x86_64 Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS version 4 - i386, ia64, ppc, s390, s390x, x86_64 Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop version 4 - i386, x86_64 Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES version 4 - i386, ia64, x86_64 Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS version 4 - i386, ia64, x86_64 Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop (v. 5 client) - i386, x86_64 Red Hat Enterprise Linux (v. 5 server) - i386, ia64, ppc, s390x, x86_64

3. Description:

Lynx is a text-based Web browser.

An arbitrary command execution flaw was found in the Lynx "lynxcgi:" URI handler. An attacker could create a web page redirecting to a malicious URL that could execute arbitrary code as the user running Lynx in the non-default "Advanced" user mode. (CVE-2008-4690)

Note: In these updated lynx packages, Lynx will always prompt users before loading a "lynxcgi:" URI. Additionally, the default lynx.cfg configuration file now marks all "lynxcgi:" URIs as untrusted by default.

A flaw was found in a way Lynx handled ".mailcap" and ".mime.types" configuration files. Files in the browser's current working directory were opened before those in the user's home directory. A local attacker, able to convince a user to run Lynx in a directory under their control, could possibly execute arbitrary commands as the user running Lynx. (CVE-2006-7234)

All users of Lynx are advised to upgrade to this updated package, which contains backported patches correcting these issues.

4. Solution:

Before applying this update, make sure that all previously-released errata relevant to your system have been applied.

This update is available via Red Hat Network. Details on how to use the Red Hat Network to apply this update are available at http://kbase.redhat.com/faq/FAQ_58_10188

5. Bugs fixed (http://bugzilla.redhat.com/):

214205 - CVE-2006-7234 lynx: .mailcap and .mime.types files read from CWD 468184 - CVE-2008-4690 lynx: remote arbitrary command execution via a crafted lynxcgi: URL