CVE-2017-17514: boxes.c in nip2 8.4.0 does not validate strings before launching the program specified by the BROWSER environm

This month

HIGH 8.8WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2017-17514 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affecting nip2, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

boxes.c in nip2 8.4.0 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. NOTE: a software maintainer indicates that this product does not use the BROWSER environment variable

Why this priority

High severity
On your watchlist

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.8 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	1.7% (top 23%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-74
Published	2017-12-14
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · nip2 project

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-12-14 16:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

nip2 project nip2 DOWNGRADE

Affected: 8.4.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.4.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy nip2 || rpm -q nip2 || nip2 --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 8.4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison nip2 sudo apt install nip2=<VERSION_BEFORE_8.4.0> sudo apt-mark hold nip2

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list nip2 sudo dnf downgrade nip2-<VERSION_BEFORE_8.4.0> sudo dnf versionlock add nip2

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 7.0 · 8.0 · 9.0 · 10.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2017-17514?

nip2: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2017-17514 being exploited?

CVE-2017-17514 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2017-17514 affect?

CVE-2017-17514 affects nip2, debian linux. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). boxes.c in nip2 8.4.0 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. NOTE: a software maintai

How urgent is CVE-2017-17514?

Priority 55/100. High severity; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

References

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