CVE-2017-18266

Name: CVE-2017-18266
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2018-05-10T14:29:00.207+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

UnknownEPSS 2.47%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2017-18266 is a vulnerability of currently unknown severity. The open_envvar function in xdg-open in xdg-utils before 1.1.3 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, as demonstrated by %s in this environment variable.. EPSS estimates a 2.47% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The open_envvar function in xdg-open in xdg-utils before 1.1.3 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, as demonstrated by %s in this environment variable.

Metrics

EPSS Probability

2.47%

82.5th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-74

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Freedesktop	Xdg-Utils	< 1.1.3
Debian	Debian Linux	7.0
Debian	Debian Linux	8.0
Debian	Debian Linux	9.0
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	14.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	16.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	17.10
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	18.04

References

https://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=103807Issue Tracking, Patch
https://cgit.freedesktop.org/xdg/xdg-utils/commit/?id=5647afb35e4bcba2060148e1a2a47bc43cc240f2Release Notes
https://cgit.freedesktop.org/xdg/xdg-utils/commit/?id=ce802d71c3466d1dbb24f2fe9b6db82a1f899bcbPatch
https://cgit.freedesktop.org/xdg/xdg-utils/tree/ChangeLogRelease Notes
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/05/msg00014.htmlThird Party Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3650-1/Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2018/dsa-4211Third Party Advisory
https://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=103807Issue Tracking, Patch
https://cgit.freedesktop.org/xdg/xdg-utils/commit/?id=5647afb35e4bcba2060148e1a2a47bc43cc240f2Release Notes
https://cgit.freedesktop.org/xdg/xdg-utils/commit/?id=ce802d71c3466d1dbb24f2fe9b6db82a1f899bcbPatch
https://cgit.freedesktop.org/xdg/xdg-utils/tree/ChangeLogRelease Notes
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/05/msg00014.htmlThird Party Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3650-1/Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2018/dsa-4211Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: May 10, 2018
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2017-18266?

How severe is CVE-2017-18266?

Severity scoring for CVE-2017-18266 is pending analysis. The EPSS model estimates a 2.47% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2017-18266?

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-2017-18266?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST