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.
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 | xdg-utils | 1.1.3-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | xdg-utils | 1.1.3-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | xdg-utils | 1.1.3-1 | — |
| Debian 9 | xdg-utils | 1.1.1-1+deb9u1 | DSA-4211-1 |
| Debian 8 | xdg-utils | 1.1.0~rc1+git20111210-7.4+deb8u1 | DSA-4211-1 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 7 | xdg-utils | 1.1.0~rc1+git20111210-6+deb7u4 | DLA-1384-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | xdg-utils | 1.1.2-1ubuntu2.2 | USN-3650-1 |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | xdg-utils | 1.1.1-1ubuntu1.16.04.3 | USN-3650-1 |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | xdg-utils | 1.1.0~rc1-2ubuntu7.2 | USN-3650-1 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 12 SP3 | xdg-utils | 20140630-6.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:1497-1 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 12 SP3 | xdg-utils | 20140630-6.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2018:1497-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | xdg-utils | 1.1.3+20201113-1.2 | openSUSE-SU-2024:11518-1 |
Advisories 5
- DSA-4211-1 xdg-utils - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DLA-1384-1 xdg-utils - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- USN-3650-1 xdg-utils vulnerability Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2018:1497-1 Security update for xdg-utils SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:11518-1 xdg-utils-1.1.3+20201113-1.2 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · May 7, 2025
References
- https://cgit.freedesktop.org/xdg/xdg-utils/commit/?id=ce802d71c3466d1dbb24f2fe9b6db82a1f899bcb
- https://cgit.freedesktop.org/xdg/xdg-utils/tree/ChangeLog
- USN-3650-1 vendor-advisory
- [debian-lts-announce] 20180525 [SECURITY] [DLA 1384-1] xdg-utils security update mailing-list
- DSA-4211 vendor-advisory
- https://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=103807
- https://cgit.freedesktop.org/xdg/xdg-utils/commit/?id=5647afb35e4bcba2060148e1a2a47bc43cc240f2