---
title: "CVE-2014-6278: GNU Bash OS Command Injection Vulnerability"
url: https://erroneo.us/security/cve/CVE-2014-6278/
description: "CVE-2014-6278 (GNU GNU Bash): Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV). GNU Bash through 4.3 bash43-026 does not properly parse function definitions in the values…"
type: vulnerability-record
section: "Security Digest"
date_published: 2014-09-30
date_modified: 2025-12-30
publisher: erroneo.us
author: erroneo.us Security Desk
cve: "CVE-2014-6278"
kev: true
cvss: 8.8
epss: 0.99594
license: All rights reserved. Quote with attribution and a link.
---

# CVE-2014-6278: GNU Bash OS Command Injection Vulnerability

**Signal:** Exploited: patch now if you run it. CISA has confirmed exploitation in the wild. (Computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS; not an editorial verdict.)

## Should you act?

- Yes, if you run GNU GNU Bash. CISA added this CVE to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2025-10-02, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild. US federal agencies must remediate by 2025-10-23 ; treat that as the outer limit, not the target.
- EPSS 99.6% , percentile 99.9: FIRST’s model estimates a 99.6% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 99.9% of all scored CVEs (very high). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
- Needs a user to click or open something. Phishing makes that realistic, but it is not wormable.

## 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 modcgi and modcgid 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.

## Affected products (CVE record)

- n/a n/a: see advisory

## Severity

- CISA-ADP CVSS 3.1: 8.8 `CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`

## Exploitation

- CISA KEV: added 2025-10-02; federal due date 2025-10-23. Known ransomware use: Unknown.
- CISA 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.
- CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation active , automatable no , technical impact total .
- FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 99.59% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 99.9.

## Sources

- [HPSBMU03165](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141577137423233&w=2)
- [SSRT101819](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=142721162228379&w=2)
- [HPSBMU03245](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=142358026505815&w=2)
- [HPSBMU03143](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141383026420882&w=2)
- [HPSBMU03182](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141585637922673&w=2)
- [HPSBST03155](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141576728022234&w=2)
- [openSUSE-SU-2014:1310](http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2014-10/msg00025.html)
- [HPSBMU03246](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=142358078406056&w=2)
- [USN-2380-1](http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2380-1)
- [HPSBMU03217](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141879528318582&w=2)
- [SSRT101868](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=142118135300698&w=2)
- [HPSBST03129](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141383196021590&w=2)
- [HPSBMU03144](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141383081521087&w=2)
- [SUSE-SU-2014:1287](http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2014-10/msg00004.html)
- [MDVSA-2015:164](http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2015:164)
- [20140926 GNU Bash Environment Variable Command Injection Vulnerability](http://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20140926-bash)
- [HPSBST03157](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141450491804793&w=2)
- [HPSBST03154](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141577297623641&w=2)
- [HPSBGN03142](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141383244821813&w=2)
- [HPSBST03181](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141577241923505&w=2)
- [HPSBHF03145](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141383465822787&w=2)
- [HPSBGN03138](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141330468527613&w=2)
- [HPSBHF03125](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141345648114150&w=2)
- [HPSBHF03146](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141383353622268&w=2)
- [HPSBGN03141](http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141383304022067&w=2)
- [Listed in CISA KEV notes (ftp.gnu.org)](http://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/bash/bash-4.3-patches/bash43-027)
- [Listed in CISA KEV notes (support.broadcom.com)](https://support.broadcom.com/web/ecx/support-content-notification/-/external/content/SecurityAdvisories/0/23467)
- [Listed in CISA KEV notes (sec.cloudapps.cisco.com)](https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20140926-bash)
- [Listed in CISA KEV notes (ibm.com)](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)
- [CVE.org record CVE-2014-6278](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2014-6278)
- [NVD entry CVE-2014-6278](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2014-6278)
- [CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog entry](https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2014-6278)
- [www-01.ibm.com](http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=ssg1S1004897)
- [www-01.ibm.com](http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21685749)
- [supportcenter.checkpoint.com](https://supportcenter.checkpoint.com/supportcenter/portal?eventSubmit_doGoviewsolutiondetails=&solutionid=sk102673&src=securityAlerts)
- [linux.oracle.com](http://linux.oracle.com/errata/ELSA-2014-3093)
- [www-01.ibm.com](http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21686479)
- [JVN#55667175](http://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN55667175/index.html)
- [60433](http://secunia.com/advisories/60433)
- [packetstormsecurity.com](http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/137344/Sun-Secure-Global-Desktop-Oracle-Global-Desktop-Shellshock.html)
- [www-01.ibm.com](http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21685541)
- [oracle.com](http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/bashcve-2014-7169-2317675.html)
- [61816](http://secunia.com/advisories/61816)
- [61442](http://secunia.com/advisories/61442)
- [61283](http://secunia.com/advisories/61283)
- [kc.mcafee.com](https://kc.mcafee.com/corporate/index?page=content&id=SB10085)
- [61654](http://secunia.com/advisories/61654)
- [www-947.ibm.com](http://www-947.ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=MIGR-5096315)
- [62312](http://secunia.com/advisories/62312)
- [support.f5.com](https://support.f5.com/kb/en-us/solutions/public/15000/600/sol15629.html)
- [security-tracker.debian.org](https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2014-6278)
- [www-01.ibm.com](http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21685604)
- [61703](http://secunia.com/advisories/61703)
- [61065](http://secunia.com/advisories/61065)
- [www-01.ibm.com](http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21686445)
- [www-01.ibm.com](http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21686131)
- [JVNDB-2014-000126](http://jvndb.jvn.jp/jvndb/JVNDB-2014-000126)
- [61641](http://secunia.com/advisories/61641)
- [39887](https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/39887/)
- [kb.juniper.net](https://kb.juniper.net/InfoCenter/index?page=content&id=JSA10648)
- [www-01.ibm.com](http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=ssg1S1004898)
- [www-01.ibm.com](http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21685914)
- [support.hpe.com](https://support.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en_US&docId=emr_na-c04497075)
- [60325](http://secunia.com/advisories/60325)
- [60024](http://secunia.com/advisories/60024)
- [packetstormsecurity.com](http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/128567/CA-Technologies-GNU-Bash-Shellshock.html)
- [lcamtuf.blogspot.com](http://lcamtuf.blogspot.com/2014/10/bash-bug-how-we-finally-cracked.html)
- [bugzilla.redhat.com](https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1147414)
- [62343](http://secunia.com/advisories/62343)
- [61565](http://secunia.com/advisories/61565)
- [suse.com](https://www.suse.com/support/shellshock/)
- [61313](http://secunia.com/advisories/61313)
- [61485](http://secunia.com/advisories/61485)
- [support.hpe.com](https://support.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en_US&docId=emr_na-c04518183)
- [www-01.ibm.com](http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=isg3T1021272)
- [61312](http://secunia.com/advisories/61312)
- [linux.oracle.com](http://linux.oracle.com/errata/ELSA-2014-3094)
- [60193](http://secunia.com/advisories/60193)
- [vmware.com](http://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2014-0010.html)
- [60063](http://secunia.com/advisories/60063)
- [60034](http://secunia.com/advisories/60034)
- [59907](http://secunia.com/advisories/59907)
- [58200](http://secunia.com/advisories/58200)
- [61643](http://secunia.com/advisories/61643)
- [novell.com](http://www.novell.com/support/kb/doc.php?id=7015721)
- [www-01.ibm.com](http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21687079)
- [61503](http://secunia.com/advisories/61503)
- [www-01.ibm.com](http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21686246)
- [www-01.ibm.com](http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=ssg1S1004915)
- [support.novell.com](http://support.novell.com/security/cve/CVE-2014-6278.html)
- [qnap.com](http://www.qnap.com/i/en/support/con_show.php?cid=61)
- [61552](http://secunia.com/advisories/61552)
- [61780](http://secunia.com/advisories/61780)
- [www-01.ibm.com](http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=isg3T1021279)
- [support.citrix.com](https://support.citrix.com/article/CTX200223)
- [39568](https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/39568/)
- [60044](http://secunia.com/advisories/60044)
- [61291](http://secunia.com/advisories/61291)
- [61287](http://secunia.com/advisories/61287)
- [www-01.ibm.com](http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=isg3T1021361)
- [61128](http://secunia.com/advisories/61128)
- [support.citrix.com](https://support.citrix.com/article/CTX200217)
- [61471](http://secunia.com/advisories/61471)
- [60055](http://secunia.com/advisories/60055)
- [59961](http://secunia.com/advisories/59961)
- [61550](http://secunia.com/advisories/61550)
- [61633](http://secunia.com/advisories/61633)
- [lcamtuf.blogspot.com](http://lcamtuf.blogspot.com/2014/09/bash-bug-apply-unofficial-patch-now.html)
- [www-01.ibm.com](http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21686494)
- [kb.bluecoat.com](https://kb.bluecoat.com/index?page=content&id=SA82)
- [61328](http://secunia.com/advisories/61328)
- [www-01.ibm.com](http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21685733)
- [61129](http://secunia.com/advisories/61129)
- [61603](http://secunia.com/advisories/61603)
- [61857](http://secunia.com/advisories/61857)
- [www-01.ibm.com](http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=ssg1S1004879)
- [arista.com](https://www.arista.com/en/support/advisories-notices/security-advisories/1008-security-advisory-0006)

---
Source page: https://erroneo.us/security/cve/CVE-2014-6278/ · Security Digest: https://erroneo.us/security/ · More: https://erroneo.us/llms.txt