CVE-2014-6278
HighExploitedPublic exploitGNU Bash through 4.3 bash43-026 does not properly parse function definitions in the values of environment variables, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a crafted environment, as demonstrated by vectors involving the ForceCommand feature in OpenSSH…
Published Sep 30, 2014 · Updated Aug 11, 2026 · Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2014-6278, UBUNTU-CVE-2014-6278
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2014-6278 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 8.8 v3.1) affecting Bash (Gnu), rootio-bash, bash-doc (oracle) and 12 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Mar 1, 2018. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 100% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Bash 3.2-33.el5_11.4.0.1, Bash 4.1.2-29.el6.0.1, Bash 4.2-81.1.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
8.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
100%
Higher than 99.9% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2014-6278 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
GNU Bash through 4.3 bash43-026 does not properly parse function definitions in the values of environment variables, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a crafted environment, as demonstrated by vectors involving the ForceCommand feature in OpenSSH sshd, the mod_cgi and mod_cgid modules in the Apache HTTP Server, scripts executed by unspecified DHCP clients, and other situations in which setting the environment occurs across a privilege boundary from Bash execution. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2014-6271, CVE-2014-7169, and CVE-2014-6277.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | Oct 2, 2025 | Oct 23, 2025 | Not reported |
| Industry KEV feed | Mar 1, 2018 | Oct 23, 2025 | Not reported |
| CIRCL KEV | Oct 2, 2025 | Oct 23, 2025 | Not reported |
| ENISA EUVD | Oct 2, 2025 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Affected Products
92 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| BashGnu | 1.14.0, 1.14.1, 1.14.2, 1.14.3, 1.14.4, 1.14.5, 1.14.6, 1.14.7 | 4.3-9.2 |
| rootio-bashrootio | See advisory | 4.3-9.2 |
| bash-docoracle | See advisory | 4.1.2-29.el6.0.1 |
| bash-develsuse | See advisory | 4.2-81.1 |
| bash-langsuse | See advisory | 4.2-81.1 |
Patched Releases
Bash
3.2-33.el5_11.4.0.1, 4.1.2-29.el6.0.1, 4.2-81.1, 4.2-82.1, 4.2.45-5.el7_0.4.0.1, 4.3-7ubuntu1.5, 4.3-9.2, 4.4-92.1
bash-devel
4.2-81.1, 4.2-82.1, 4.4-92.1
bash-doc
4.1.2-29.el6.0.1, 4.2-81.1, 4.2-82.1, 4.2.45-5.el7_0.4.0.1, 4.4-92.1
bash-lang
4.2-81.1, 4.2-82.1, 4.4-92.1
bash-loadables
4.2-81.1, 4.4-92.1
libreadline6
6.2-81.1, 6.2-82.1
libreadline6-32bit
6.2-81.1, 6.2-82.1
libreadline7
7.0-92.1
libreadline7-32bit
7.0-92.1
readline-devel
6.2-81.1, 6.2-82.1, 7.0-92.1
readline-devel-32bit
6.2-81.1, 7.0-92.1
readline-doc
6.2-81.1, 6.2-82.1, 7.0-92.1
rootio-bash
4.3-9.2
sles12-docker-image
1.1.4-20171002
sles12sp1-docker-image
1.0.7-20171002
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Sep 30, 2014
Added to Industry KEV feed
Mar 1, 2018
Added to CISA KEV
Oct 2, 2025
Added to CIRCL KEV
Oct 2, 2025
Added to ENISA EUVD
Oct 2, 2025
Last updated
Aug 11, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-78 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
- CWE-119 Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer
References
- advisoryJVNDB-2014-000126
- advisoryJVN#55667175
- advisoryhttp://lcamtuf.blogspot.ca/2014/09/bash-bug-apply-unofficial-patch-now.html
- advisoryhttp://lcamtuf.blogspot.ca/2014/10/bash-bug-how-we-finally-cracked.html
- advisoryhttp://lcamtuf.blogspot.com/2014/10/bash-bug-how-we-finally-cracked.html
FAQ
Common Questions.
GNU Bash through 4.3 bash43-026 does not properly parse function definitions in the values of environment variables, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a crafted environment, as demonstrated by vectors involving the ForceCommand feature in OpenSSH sshd, the mod_cgi and mod_cgid modules in…
Affected: Bash (Gnu) versions 1.14.0, 1.14.1, 1.14.2, 1.14.3, 1.14.4, 1.14.5, 1.14.6, 1.14.7; rootio-bash; bash-doc (oracle), among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Mar 1, 2018.
Yes. It was added on Oct 2, 2025 with a federal remediation due date of Oct 23, 2025.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Bash 3.2-33.el5_11.4.0.1, Bash 4.1.2-29.el6.0.1, Bash 4.2-81.1.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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