---
title: "CVE-2017-18266\n    | Ubuntu"
description: Ubuntu is an open source software operating system that runs from the
  desktop, to the cloud, to all your internet connected things.
url: https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-18266?format=md
keywords: index, follow
---

# CVE-2017-18266

Publication date 10 May 2018

Last updated 25 August 2025

---

Ubuntu priority

**Medium**

[Why this priority?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#priority )

## Cvss 3 Severity Score

**8.8 · High**

[Score breakdown](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-18266?format=md#impact-score)

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## 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.

## Status

Show unmaintained releases

| Package | Ubuntu Release | Status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| xdg-utils | 18.04 LTS bionic | Fixed 1.1.2-1ubuntu2.2 |
| 17.10 artful | Fixed 1.1.1-1ubuntu3.2 |
| 16.04 LTS xenial | Fixed 1.1.1-1ubuntu1.16.04.3 |
| 14.04 LTS trusty | Fixed 1.1.0~rc1-2ubuntu7.2 |

---

* [How can I get the fixes?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#security)
* [What do statuses mean?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#statuses)
* [Patch details](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-18266?format=md#patch-details)

### Patch details

For informational purposes only. We recommend not to cherry-pick updates. [How can I get the fixes?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#security)

| Package | Patch details |
| --- | --- |
| xdg-utils | * Other:   [?id=ce8](https://cgit.freedesktop.org/xdg/xdg-utils/commit/?id=ce802d71c3466d1dbb24f2fe9b6db82a1f899bcb) |

## Severity score breakdown

CVSS version:
CVSS v3.0

**Base score**

8.8 · High

* Base metrics

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Attack vector | Network |
  | Attack complexity | Low |
  | Privileges required | None |
  | User interaction | Required |
  | Scope | Unchanged |
  | Confidentiality impact | High |
  | Integrity impact | High |
  | Availability impact | High |
* Scores

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Base score | 8.8 · High |
  | Exploitability score | - |
  | Impact score | - |

**Vector:** CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

## References

* [MITRE](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2017-18266)
* [NVD](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-18266)
* [Launchpad](https://launchpad.net/bugs/cve/CVE-2017-18266)
* [Debian](https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2017-18266)

### Related Ubuntu Security Notices (USN)

+ [USN-3650-1](https://usn.ubuntu.com/USN-3650-1)
+ xdg-utils vulnerability
+ 21 May 2018

### Other references

* <https://cgit.freedesktop.org/xdg/xdg-utils/tree/ChangeLog>
* <https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-18266>