High severity · published Sep 30, 2014
CVE-2014-6278
GNU Bash OS Command Injection Vulnerability
In wildKEV
8.8
CVSS
99.7%
EPSS
Yes
On KEV
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.
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack vector
Network
Complexity
Low
Privileges
None
User interaction
Required
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Scope
Unchanged
Exploitation
Is it being used?
Exploit prediction (EPSS)99.7% · higher than 100% of CVEs
Exploited in the wildYes
CISA KEVListed Oct 2, 2025
Federal remediation dueOct 23, 2025
Ransomware campaign useNot known
Affected products
Which versions
BA
Bash · Gnu
1.14.0; 1.14.1; 1.14.2; 1.14.3; 1.14.4; 1.14.5; +22 more · source: NVD
GB
GNU Bash · GNU
All versions, or not specified · source: KEV
In the news
AdvisoryHigh
Chinese Government-linked Cyber Threat Actors Combine Automated and Hands-on Hacking Tools to Steal Sensitive Data
Advisory at a Glance  Title  Chinese Government-linked Cyber Threat Actors Combine Automated and Hands-on Hacking Tools to Steal Sensitive Data  Original Publication  October 8, 2026   Executive Summary  Chinese government-linked cyber threat actors, enabled by the Integrity Technology Group, are combining automated scanning tools, large-scale botnets, and hands-on exploitation techniques to target and steal sensitive data from organizations worldwide, including US critical infrastructure sectors. These actors exploit vulnerabilities by using scanning tools, cross-site scripting attacks, and password spraying on Microsoft Exchange servers, while establishing persistence through VPN software and exfiltrating emails and credentials using scripts. To help mitigate against this activity, organizations should prioritize disabling unused services and ports, sanitizing web application inputs to prevent injection attacks, implementing multifactor authentication for all services, and applying timely patches to reduce risks of compromise.  Affected Products  CVE-2014-6278   CVE-2015-3306   CVE-2015-5477   CVE-2016-3081   CVE-2019-11510   CVE-2021-22205   CVE-2021-3199   CVE-2023-22894   Key Actions  ...
Oct 8, 2026·CISA Advisories
VulnerabilityHigh
[CISA KEV] CVE-2014-6278: GNU GNU Bash - GNU Bash OS Command Injection Vulnerability
GNU Bash contains an OS command injection vulnerability which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a crafted environment.
GBGNU BashCVE-2014-6278
Oct 2, 2025·CISA KEV
Affected product
BA
Bash
Gnu
More from Bash
9.8
CVE-2014-7169
GNU Bourne-Again Shell (Bash) Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability
9.8
CVE-2014-6271
GNU Bourne-Again Shell (Bash) Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability
8.4
CVE-2016-7543
Bash before 4.4 allows local users to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges via crafted SHELLOPTS and PS4 environment variables
7.8
CVE-2022-3715
A flaw was found in the bash package, where a heap-buffer overflow can occur in valid parameter_transform
7.8
CVE-2019-18276
An issue was discovered in disable_priv_mode in shell.c in GNU Bash through 5.0 patch 11