# What is CVE-2014-0196? > CVE-2014-0196 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) in Linux kernel, published on 7 May 2014. It is on the list of flaws known to be exploited, so criminals are already using it. The latest forecast puts its chance of use in the next 30 days at 22%. If you run an affected version, patch it first. Canonical page: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/what-is/cve-2014-0196 ## At a glance - **Verdict:** Fix this now. Attackers are using this flaw today. If you run an affected version, it goes to the top of your list. - **Precursor Intelligence risk score:** 74 out of 100 (High); action: Emergency patch. Kept up to date as the evidence changes. - **Severity:** Medium (CVSS 5.5 out of 10) - **Known to be exploited:** Yes, it is on the government list of flaws known to be exploited - **Chance of use in the next 30 days:** 22% (latest exploit-likelihood forecast) - **Published:** 7 May 2014 - **Record last updated:** 12 April 2025 - **Main product:** Linux kernel - **Affected products:** 30 ## What is CVE-2014-0196? In plain terms An attacker has to be already on the device with an ordinary user account, and nobody has to click anything. If it works, the attacker can take it offline. ### The official description The n_tty_write function in drivers/tty/n_tty.c in the Linux kernel through 3.14.3 does not properly manage tty driver access in the "LECHO & !OPOST" case, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (memory corruption and system crash) or gain privileges by triggering a race condition involving read and write operations with long strings. ### What kind of flaw is it? - CWE-362: Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization ('Race Condition') ### How an attack on it works - Where an attacker can be: Already on the device - How hard it is to pull off: Easy: no special conditions - Login needed first: An ordinary user account - Does someone have to click: No, nobody has to do anything - What an attacker gets: Can take it offline Severity vector: `CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H` ## Is CVE-2014-0196 being exploited? Yes Attackers are already using it. It is on the government list of flaws known to be exploited, and the latest forecast puts the chance of it being used in the next 30 days at 22%. Exploit likelihood over the last 7 days: 22%, 22%, 22%, 22%, 22%, 22%, 22%. ### Timeline - 7 May 2014: Published - 12 April 2025: Record last updated - 1 April 2026: Exploit likelihood fell ### How Precursor Intelligence ranks it CVE-2014-0196 scores **74 out of 100 (High)**, with the action "Emergency patch". Every published flaw gets a risk score from 0 to 100, kept up to date as the evidence changes. Four things go into the score, from the one that counts most to the ones that count less: - Evidence it is being exploited: biggest factor - How severe it is: strong factor - How widely exposed it is: smaller factor - Threat activity around it: smaller factor 85 and above is Critical. Anything confirmed as exploited is always marked for an emergency patch, whatever its score. When this flaw matches software you track, it lands in your list with its score and the reasons behind it. ## Who is affected by CVE-2014-0196? The published record lists 30 products. Versions are as published: "after 2.6.31 to before 3.2.59" means every version up to, but not including, 3.2.59. - [Linux kernel](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/linux/linux_kernel) by [Linux](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/linux) (Operating system): 2.6.31-rc3, 2.6.31-rc4, 2.6.31-rc5, 2.6.31-rc6, 2.6.31-rc7, 2.6.31-rc8, 2.6.31-rc9, after 2.6.31 to before 3.2.59, 2.6.31, 3.3 to before 3.4.91, 3.5 to before 3.10.40, 3.11 to before 3.12.20, 3.13 to before 3.14.4 - [Ubuntu Linux](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/canonical/ubuntu_linux) by [Canonical](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/canonical) (Operating system): 10.04, 12.04, 12.10, 13.10, 14.04 - [Debian Linux](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/debian/debian_linux) by [Debian](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/debian) (Operating system): 6.0, 7.0 - [Enterprise Linux Eus](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/redhat/enterprise_linux_eus) by [Red Hat](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/redhat) (Operating system): 6.3, 6.4 - [Enterprise Manager](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/enterprise_manager) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 3.1.0, 3.1.1 - [Big-IP Access Policy Manager](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-ip_access_policy_manager) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 11.1.0 to 11.5.1 - [Big-IP Advanced Firewall Manager](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-ip_advanced_firewall_manager) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 11.3.0 to 11.5.1 - [Big-IP Analytics](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-ip_analytics) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 11.1.0 to 11.5.1 - [Big-IP Application Acceleration Manager](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-ip_application_acceleration_manager) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 11.4.0 to 11.5.1 - [Big-IP Application Security Manager](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-ip_application_security_manager) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 11.1.0 to 11.5.1 - [Big-IP Edge Gateway](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-ip_edge_gateway) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 11.1.0 to 11.3.0 - [Big-IP Global Traffic Manager](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-ip_global_traffic_manager) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 11.1.0 to 11.5.1 - [Big-IP Link Controller](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-ip_link_controller) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 11.1.0 to 11.5.1 - [Big-IP Local Traffic Manager](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-ip_local_traffic_manager) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 11.1.0 to 11.5.1 - [Big-IP Policy Enforcement Manager](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-ip_policy_enforcement_manager) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 11.3.0 to 11.5.1 - [Big-IP Protocol Security Module](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-ip_protocol_security_module) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 11.1.0 to 11.4.1 - [Big-IP WAN Optimization Manager](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-ip_wan_optimization_manager) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 11.1.0 to 11.3.0 - [Big-IP Webaccelerator](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-ip_webaccelerator) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 11.1.0 to 11.3.0 - [Big-Iq Application Delivery Controller](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-iq_application_delivery_controller) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 4.5.0 - [Big-Iq Centralized Management](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-iq_centralized_management) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 4.6.0 - [Big-Iq Cloud](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-iq_cloud) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 4.0.0 to 4.5.0 - [Big-Iq Cloud and Orchestration](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-iq_cloud_and_orchestration) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 1.0.0 - [Big-Iq Device](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-iq_device) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 4.2.0 to 4.5.0 - [Big-Iq Security](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/f5/big-iq_security) by [F5](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/f5) (Application): 4.0.0 to 4.5.0 - [Enterprise Linux](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/redhat/enterprise_linux) by [Red Hat](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/redhat) (Operating system): 6.0 - [Enterprise Linux Server Eus](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/redhat/enterprise_linux_server_eus) by [Red Hat](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/redhat) (Operating system): 6.3 - [Linux](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/oracle/linux) by [Oracle](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/oracle) (Operating system): 6 - [Suse Linux Enterprise Desktop](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/suse/suse_linux_enterprise_desktop) by [Suse](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/suse) (Operating system): 11-sp3 - [Suse Linux Enterprise High Availability Extension](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/suse/suse_linux_enterprise_high_availability_extension) by [Suse](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/suse) (Operating system): 11-sp3 - [Suse Linux Enterprise Server](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/suse/suse_linux_enterprise_server) by [Suse](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/suse) (Operating system): 11-sp3 ## How do I fix CVE-2014-0196? 1. **Check whether you run it.** Compare your versions with the affected products above. Not sure what you run? Precursor Intelligence can work it out from your public website, or you can pick it from a list. 2. **Apply the vendor’s fix.** Install the update named in the vendor’s advisory. We’ve put the advisories and patch notes first in the list. 3. **If you can’t patch today.** Follow any mitigation the vendor publishes, and limit who can reach the affected system from the internet until the update is in. 4. **Check it wasn’t used before you patched.** Because criminals are already using this flaw, look for signs of a break-in on affected systems using the vendor’s guidance. ### References - [bugzilla.redhat.com](https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1094232) (Issue tracking, Patch, Third-party advisory) - [github.com](https://github.com/torvalds/linux/commit/4291086b1f081b869c6d79e5b7441633dc3ace00) (Exploit, Patch, Third-party advisory) - [bugzilla.novell.com](http://bugzilla.novell.com/show_bug.cgi?id=875690) (Issue tracking, Permissions required, Third-party advisory) - [git.kernel.org](http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git%3Ba=commit%3Bh=4291086b1f081b869c6d79e5b7441633dc3ace00) (Broken link) - [linux.oracle.com](http://linux.oracle.com/errata/ELSA-2014-0771.html) (Third-party advisory) - [lists.opensuse.org](http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2014-05/msg00007.html) (Mailing list, Third-party advisory) - [lists.opensuse.org](http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2014-05/msg00012.html) (Mailing list, Third-party advisory) - [pastebin.com](http://pastebin.com/raw.php?i=yTSFUBgZ) (Exploit, Mailing list, Third-party advisory) - [rhn.redhat.com](http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2014-0512.html) (Third-party advisory) - [secunia.com](http://secunia.com/advisories/59218) (Not applicable) - [secunia.com](http://secunia.com/advisories/59262) (Broken link) - [secunia.com](http://secunia.com/advisories/59599) (Broken link) - [source.android.com](http://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2016-07-01.html) (Not applicable) - [support.f5.com](http://support.f5.com/kb/en-us/solutions/public/15000/300/sol15319.html) (Third-party advisory) - [debian.org](http://www.debian.org/security/2014/dsa-2926) (Third-party advisory) - [debian.org](http://www.debian.org/security/2014/dsa-2928) (Third-party advisory) - [exploit-db.com](http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/33516) (Exploit, Third-party advisory, Vulnerability database) - [openwall.com](http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/05/05/6) (Mailing list, Third-party advisory) - [osvdb.org](http://www.osvdb.org/106646) (Broken link) - [ubuntu.com](http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2196-1) (Third-party advisory) - [ubuntu.com](http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2197-1) (Third-party advisory) - [ubuntu.com](http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2198-1) (Third-party advisory) - [ubuntu.com](http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2199-1) (Third-party advisory) - [ubuntu.com](http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2200-1) (Third-party advisory) - [ubuntu.com](http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2201-1) (Third-party advisory) - [ubuntu.com](http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2202-1) (Third-party advisory) - [ubuntu.com](http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2203-1) (Third-party advisory) - [ubuntu.com](http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2204-1) (Third-party advisory) ## Questions ### What is CVE-2014-0196? CVE-2014-0196 is a medium-severity flaw in Linux kernel, published on 7 May 2014. An attacker has to be already on the device with an ordinary user account, and nobody has to click anything. If it works, the attacker can take it offline. ### How serious is CVE-2014-0196? It scores 5.5 out of 10 on the CVSS severity scale, which is medium. Our risk score for CVE-2014-0196 is 74 out of 100, which is High. Its action is "Emergency patch". Attackers are using this flaw today. If you run an affected version, it goes to the top of your list. ### Is CVE-2014-0196 being exploited? Attackers are already using it. It is on the government list of flaws known to be exploited, and the latest forecast puts the chance of it being used in the next 30 days at 22%. ### Which versions does CVE-2014-0196 affect? For Linux kernel: 2.6.31-rc3, 2.6.31-rc4, 2.6.31-rc5, 2.6.31-rc6, 2.6.31-rc7, 2.6.31-rc8 and 7 more. The record lists 30 products in all, each with its versions, under "Who is affected" on this page. ### How do I fix CVE-2014-0196? Install the update the vendor names in its advisory, linked first under "How do I fix" on this page. If you can't patch today, follow the vendor's mitigation and limit who can reach the affected system from the internet. Because criminals are already using it, also check affected systems for signs of a break-in. ## Does CVE-2014-0196 affect you? Precursor Intelligence keeps checking for you: - **Tell us what you run.** Pick your software from a list, or let us work it out from your website. - **We match it to every flaw.** Over 400,000 published flaws, checked against your list. - **Ranked by real-world risk.** Every flaw gets a 0 to 100 risk score, kept up to date, led by evidence criminals are using it. - **Told as soon as we know.** An alert by email, in the app or by webhook to your own tools. 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