Description
lynx: It was found that Lynx doesn't parse the authority component of the URL correctly when the host name part ends with '?', and could instead be tricked into connecting to a different host.
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 | 2.8.9dev11-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | lynx | 2.8.9dev11-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | lynx | 2.8.9dev11-1 | — |
| Debian 7 | lynx-cur | 2.8.8dev.12-2+deb7u1 | DLA-719-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS | lynx | 2.9.0dev.5-1ubuntu0.1~esm1 | USN-4800-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 18.04 LTS | lynx | 2.8.9dev16-3ubuntu0.1~esm1 | USN-4800-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 16.04 LTS | lynx | 2.8.9dev8-4ubuntu1+esm1 | USN-4800-1 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 11 SP4 | lynx | 2.8.6-145.1 | SUSE-SU-2017:0599-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | lynx | 2.9.0~dev.9-1.2 | openSUSE-SU-2024:11033-1 |
Advisories 4
- USN-4800-1 lynx vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Jun 25, 2026
- DLA-719-1 lynx-cur - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:11033-1 lynx-2.9.0~dev.9-1.2 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2017:0599-1 Security update for lynx SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- 94215 vdb-entry
- [oss-security] 20161104 Re: CVE requestynx invalid URL parsing with '?' mailing-list