Description
Stack-based buffer overflow in the HTrjis function in Lynx 2.8.6 and earlier allows remote NNTP servers to execute arbitrary code via certain article headers containing Asian characters that cause Lynx to add extra escape (ESC) characters.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | lynx | 2.8.5-2sarge1 | — |
| Debian 13 | lynx | 2.8.5-2sarge1 | — |
| Debian 12 | lynx | 2.8.5-2sarge1 | — |
| Debian 3.1 | lynx | 2.8.5-2sarge1 | DSA-876-1, DSA-874-1 |
| Debian 3.1 | lynx-cur | 2.8.6-9sarge1 | DSA-1085-1 |
| Debian 3.0 | lynx | 2.8.4.1b-3.2 | DSA-876-1, DSA-874-1 |
| Debian 3.0 | lynx-cur | 2.8.5-2.5woody1 | DSA-1085-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 4 | lynx | 2.8.5-18.1 | RHSA-2005:803 |
| RHEL 3 | lynx | 2.8.5-11.1 | RHSA-2005:803 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Exploit-DB 1
- Lynx 2.8.6dev.13 - Remote Buffer Overflow (PoC) EDB-1256 · dos · Oct 17, 2005 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 4
- RHSA-2005:803 Red Hat Security Advisory: lynx security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-874-1 lynx - buffer overflow Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-876-1 lynx-ssl - buffer overflow Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-1085-1 lynx-cur - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 1015065 vdb-entry
- 18376 third-party-advisory
- 17216 third-party-advisory
- 17480 third-party-advisory
- TSLSA-2005-0059 vendor-advisory
- SSA:2005-310-03 vendor-advisory
- OpenPKG-SA-2005.026 vendor-advisory
- 20051017 Lynx Remote Buffer Overflow mailing-list
- 20060602 Re: [SECURITY] [DSA 1085-1] New lynx-cur packages fix several vulnerabilities mailing-list
- 17444 third-party-advisory
- DSA-1085 vendor-advisory
- GLSA-200510-15 vendor-advisory
- 18584 third-party-advisory
- 17238 third-party-advisory
- SUSE-SR:2005:025 vendor-advisory
- 17150 third-party-advisory
- MDKSA-2005:186 vendor-advisory
- 17248 third-party-advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=170253
- http://support.avaya.com/elmodocs2/security/ASA-2006-010.htm
- FLSA:152832 vendor-advisory
- 17360 third-party-advisory
- 17445 third-party-advisory
- 15117 vdb-entry
- USN-206-1 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:9257 vdb-entry signature
- RHSA-2005:803 vendor-advisory
- 17231 third-party-advisory
- 17230 third-party-advisory
- 17340 third-party-advisory
- 20383 third-party-advisory
- DSA-874 vendor-advisory
- DSA-876 vendor-advisory