CVE-2017-17515: etc/ObjectList in Metview 4.7.3 does not validate strings before launching the program specified by the BROWSE

This month

HIGH 8.8WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2017-17515 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affecting metview, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

etc/ObjectList in Metview 4.7.3 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. NOTE: a third party has indicated that the code to access this environment variable is not enabled in the shipped product

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	1.6% (top 24%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-74
Published	2017-12-14
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · ecmwf

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

ecmwf metview DOWNGRADE

Affected: 4.7.3

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.7.3

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.7.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison metview sudo apt install metview=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.7.3> sudo apt-mark hold metview

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

dnf --showduplicates list metview sudo dnf downgrade metview-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.7.3> sudo dnf versionlock add metview

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: 8.0 · 9.0 · 10.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.0

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-2017-17515?

metview: 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-2017-17515 being exploited?

CVE-2017-17515 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-2017-17515 affect?

CVE-2017-17515 affects metview, debian linux. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). etc/ObjectList in Metview 4.7.3 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. NOTE: a third

How urgent is CVE-2017-17515?

Priority 55/100. High severity; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

References

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