# What is CVE-2014-6278?

> CVE-2014-6278 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) in Bash from Gnu, published on 30 September 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 over 99%. If you run an affected version, patch it first.

Canonical page: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/what-is/cve-2014-6278

## 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:** 76 out of 100 (High); action: Emergency patch. Kept up to date as the evidence changes.
- **Severity:** High (CVSS 8.8 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:** over 99% (latest exploit-likelihood forecast)
- **Published:** 30 September 2014
- **Record last updated:** 22 October 2025
- **Main product:** Bash from Gnu
- **Affected products:** 1

## What is CVE-2014-6278? In plain terms

It can be attacked from anywhere on the internet without logging in, but a person has to take an action first. If it works, the attacker can read data, change data and take it offline.

### The official 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.

### What kind of flaw is it?

- CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')

### How an attack on it works

- Where an attacker can be: Anywhere on the internet
- How hard it is to pull off: Easy: no special conditions
- Login needed first: No login needed
- Does someone have to click: Yes, a person has to take an action
- What an attacker gets: Can read data, change data and take it offline

Severity vector: `CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`

## Is CVE-2014-6278 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 over 99%.

Exploit likelihood over the last 7 days: >99%, >99%, >99%, >99%, >99%, >99%, >99%.

### Timeline

- 30 September 2014: Published
- 3 October 2025: Added to the known-exploited list
- 22 October 2025: Record last updated

### How Precursor Intelligence ranks it

CVE-2014-6278 scores **76 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-2014-6278?

The published record lists 1 product.

- [Bash](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/gnu/bash) by [Gnu](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/gnu) (Application): 1.14.0, 1.14.1, 1.14.2, 1.14.3, 1.14.4, 1.14.5, 1.14.6, 1.14.7, 2.0, 2.01, 2.01.1, 2.02, 2.02.1, 2.03, 2.04, 2.05-a, 2.05-b, 2.05, 3.0, 3.0.16, 3.1, 3.2, 3.2.48, 4.0-rc1, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3

## How do I fix CVE-2014-6278?

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 advisory 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

- [lcamtuf.blogspot.com](http://lcamtuf.blogspot.com/2014/09/bash-bug-apply-unofficial-patch-now.html) (Patch)
- [jvn.jp](http://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN55667175/index.html)
- [jvndb.jvn.jp](http://jvndb.jvn.jp/jvndb/JVNDB-2014-000126)
- [lcamtuf.blogspot.com](http://lcamtuf.blogspot.com/2014/10/bash-bug-how-we-finally-cracked.html)
- [linux.oracle.com](http://linux.oracle.com/errata/ELSA-2014-3093)
- [linux.oracle.com](http://linux.oracle.com/errata/ELSA-2014-3094)
- [lists.opensuse.org](http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2014-10/msg00004.html)
- [lists.opensuse.org](http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2014-10/msg00025.html)
- [marc.info](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141330468527613&w=2)
- [marc.info](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141345648114150&w=2)
- [marc.info](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141383026420882&w=2)
- [marc.info](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141383081521087&w=2)
- [marc.info](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141383196021590&w=2)
- [marc.info](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141383244821813&w=2)
- [marc.info](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141383304022067&w=2)
- [marc.info](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141383353622268&w=2)
- [marc.info](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141383465822787&w=2)
- [marc.info](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141450491804793&w=2)
- [marc.info](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141576728022234&w=2)
- [marc.info](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141577137423233&w=2)
- [marc.info](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141577241923505&w=2)
- [marc.info](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141577297623641&w=2)
- [marc.info](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141585637922673&w=2)
- [marc.info](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141879528318582&w=2)

## Questions

### What is CVE-2014-6278?

CVE-2014-6278 is a high-severity flaw in Bash from Gnu, published on 30 September 2014. It can be attacked from anywhere on the internet without logging in, but a person has to take an action first. If it works, the attacker can read data, change data and take it offline.

### How serious is CVE-2014-6278?

It scores 8.8 out of 10 on the CVSS severity scale, which is high. Our risk score for CVE-2014-6278 is 76 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-2014-6278 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 over 99%.

### Which versions does CVE-2014-6278 affect?

For Bash from Gnu: 1.14.0, 1.14.1, 1.14.2, 1.14.3, 1.14.4, 1.14.5 and 22 more.

### How do I fix CVE-2014-6278?

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-2014-6278 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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