GNU · GNU Bash
CVE-2014-6278
GNU Bash OS Command Injection Vulnerability
What it is
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.
CISA: GNU Bash contains an OS command injection vulnerability which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a crafted environment.
What to do
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Deadline for US federal agencies: October 23, 2025
- Added to the CISA list
- October 2, 2025
- Published
- September 30, 2014
- Severity
- High 8.8 CVSS 3.1
- Chance of attacks in the next 30 days (EPSS)
- 99.7% in the top 0.1% of all known vulnerabilities
- Weakness
- CWE-78
- More details
- NVD · CVE.org · CISA
All references (20)
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141577137423233&w=2
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=142721162228379&w=2
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=142358026505815&w=2
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141383026420882&w=2
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141585637922673&w=2
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141576728022234&w=2
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2014-10/msg00025.html
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=142358078406056&w=2
- http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=ssg1S1004897
- http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21685749
- https://supportcenter.checkpoint.com/supportcenter/portal?eventSubmit_doGoviewsolutiondetails=&solutionid=sk1…
- http://linux.oracle.com/errata/ELSA-2014-3093
- http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21686479
- http://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN55667175/index.html
- http://secunia.com/advisories/60433
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/137344/Sun-Secure-Global-Desktop-Oracle-Global-Desktop-Shellshock.html
- http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21685541
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/bashcve-2014-7169-2317675.html
- http://secunia.com/advisories/61816
- http://secunia.com/advisories/61442
More exploited flaws from GNU
| Added | Vulnerability | Product | Severity | Attack chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 26, 2026 | Argument Injection | InetUtils | Critical 9.8 | 99% |
| Nov 21, 2023 | C Library Buffer Overflow | GNU C Library | High 7.8 | 64% |
| Jan 28, 2022 | Arbitrary Code Execution | Bourne-Again Shell (Bash) | Critical 9.8 | >99.9% |
| Jan 28, 2022 | Arbitrary Code Execution | Bourne-Again Shell (Bash) | Critical 9.8 | 99.9% |
Sources: Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (CISA, public domain), CVE records (cve.org) and EPSS (FIRST). The chance of attacks is the EPSS estimate that someone will try to exploit the flaw in the next 30 days.