RCE in GNU Bash
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.
Vulnerability class: Command Injection (OS Command Injection)
Published · last modified .
CVSS v3 metric
CVSS v3 base score 8.8 (High). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
EPSS exploit prediction
EPSS: 0.997 (100.0th percentile), scored .
Very high probability of exploitation in the next 30 days — among the top 0.1% most-likely-to-be-exploited CVEs. 100th percentile — 100.0% of CVEs in the catalogue have a lower EPSS than this one. How to read EPSS.
EPSS over last 30 days · oldest: 0.996 · newest: 0.997 · change: +0.001
Affected products
- GNU Bash — versions 1.14.0, 1.14.1, 1.14.2
Weakness classification (CWE)
CISA KEV (Known Exploited Vulnerabilities)
This CVE is on the CISA KEV catalog, added on . CISA KEV inclusion means CISA has confirmed in-the-wild exploitation; US federal agencies are required to remediate within a published due date.
BOD 22-01 due date: .
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.
Public proof-of-concept exploits
References
- www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss (Third Party Advisory)
- www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss (Third Party Advisory)
- marc.info/ (vendor-advisory, Third Party Advisory)
- supportcenter.checkpoint.com/supportcenter/portal (Third Party Advisory)
- linux.oracle.com/errata/ELSA-2014-3093 (Third Party Advisory)
- marc.info/ (vendor-advisory, Third Party Advisory)
- marc.info/ (vendor-advisory, Third Party Advisory)
- www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss (Third Party Advisory)
- jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN55667175/index.html (Third Party Advisory, third-party-advisory)
- secunia.com/advisories/60433 (Broken Link, third-party-advisory)
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2014-6278?
- CVE-2014-6278 is a high-severity vulnerability in GNU Bash, classified under OS Command Injection. CVSS score: 8.8/10. Published 2014-09-30.
- How severe is CVE-2014-6278?
- High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 8.8 out of 10.
- Is CVE-2014-6278 known to be exploited?
- Yes. CVE-2014-6278 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog (added 2025-10-02), indicating it is being actively exploited. 42 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed.