CVE-2017-17525: guiclient/guiclient.cpp in xTuple PostBooks 4.7.0 does not validate strings before launching the program speci

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HIGH 8.8DOWNGRADE

CVE-2017-17525 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affecting postbooks. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

guiclient/guiclient.cpp in xTuple PostBooks 4.7.0 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.

Why this priority

High severity

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	1.2% (top 31%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-74
Published	2017-12-14
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: xtuple

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

xtuple postbooks DOWNGRADE

Affected: 4.7.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.7.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.7.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison postbooks sudo apt install postbooks=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.7.0> sudo apt-mark hold postbooks

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

dnf --showduplicates list postbooks sudo dnf downgrade postbooks-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.7.0> sudo dnf versionlock add postbooks

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.

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-2017-17525?

postbooks: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2017-17525 being exploited?

CVE-2017-17525 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-2017-17525 affect?

CVE-2017-17525 affects postbooks. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). guiclient/guiclient.cpp in xTuple PostBooks 4.7.0 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 U

How urgent is CVE-2017-17525?

Priority 48/100. High severity

References

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