Description
Lynx before 2.8.9dev.16 is vulnerable to a use after free in the HTML parser resulting in memory disclosure, because HTML_put_string() can append a chunk onto itself.
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 | 2.8.9dev16-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | lynx | 2.8.9dev16-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | lynx | 2.8.9dev16-1 | — |
| Debian 7 | lynx-cur | 2.8.8dev.12-2+deb7u2 | DLA-1175-1 |
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 | 2.8.6-146.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2017:3180-1 |
Advisories 3
- USN-4800-1 lynx vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Jun 25, 2026
- DLA-1175-1 lynx-cur - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2017:3180-1 Security update for lynx SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026