CVE-2017-17520

Name: CVE-2017-17520
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2017-12-14T16:29:00.62+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 8.8/10EPSS 1.90%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2017-17520 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 8.8/10 on the CVSS scale. tools/url_handler.pl in TIN 2.4.1 does not validate strings before launching the program specified by the BROWSER environment variable, which might allow remote attackers to conduct argument-injection attacks via a crafted URL. NOTE: a third party has reported that this is intentional behavior, because the documentation states "url_handler.pl was designed to work together with tin which only issues shell escaped absolute URLs.. EPSS estimates a 1.90% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

tools/url_handler.pl in TIN 2.4.1 does not validate strings before launching the program specified by the BROWSER environment variable, which might allow remote attackers to conduct argument-injection attacks via a crafted URL. NOTE: a third party has reported that this is intentional behavior, because the documentation states "url_handler.pl was designed to work together with tin which only issues shell escaped absolute URLs.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

8.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

1.90%

77.0th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Debian	Tin	2.4.1

References

https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2017-17520Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory
https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2017-17520Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Dec 14, 2017
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2017-17520?

How severe is CVE-2017-17520?

CVE-2017-17520 has a CVSS score of 8.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 1.90% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2017-17520?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2017-17520?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

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Source: NVD / NIST