CVE-2014-6278
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.
ACTIVELY EXPLOITED IN THE WILD
This vulnerability is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.
GNU Bash OS Command Injection Vulnerability
GNU GNU Bash
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
10/2/2025
This vulnerability could affect an open-source component, third-party library, protocol, or proprietary implementation that could be used by different products. For more information, please see: http://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/bash/bash-4.3-patches/bash43-027 ; https://support.broadcom.com/web/ecx/support-content-notification/-/external/content/SecurityAdvisories/0/23467 ; https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20140926-bash ; https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/security-bulletin-update-vulnerabilities-bash-affect-aix-toolbox-linux-applications-cve-2014-6271-cve-2014-6277-cve-2014-6278-cve-2014-7169-cve-2014-7186-and-cve-2014-7187 ; https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2014-6278
Vulnerability Summary
CVSS v3 Score
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS v2 Score
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
EPSS Score (Exploitation Probability)
This vulnerability has a 91.69% probability of being exploited in the next 30 days, ranking higher than 100% of all scored CVEs.
CWE Classification
Related Vulnerabilities
Same Weakness Type(CWE-78)
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Similar SeverityHIGH
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