# CVE-2014-6271: GNU Bourne-Again Shell (Bash) Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2014-6271-gnu-bourne-again-shell-bash-arbitrary-code-execution-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2022-01-28. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2014-6271 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2022-01-28

GNU Bash through 4.3 incorrectly processes trailing strings after function definitions in environment variable values. This allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code when environment variables are set across a privilege boundary, such as in OpenSSH ForceCommand, Apache mod_cgi, or DHCP client scripts.

Vendors: [Gnu](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/gnu).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2014-6271 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2014-6271 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 28 January 2022. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2014-6271?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 28 January 2022.

**Which products and versions are affected?** GNU Bash through 4.3.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2014-6271?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2014-6271 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2014-6271?** Check whether you run Gnu Bourne-Again Shell (BASH). Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Affected products

- GNU Bash through 4.3

## Timeline

- 2022-01-28: disclosed: Publication date of the advisory.
- exploited: Reported as exploited in the wild.

## Related threats

- [GNU Bourne-Again Shell (Bash) Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2014-7169-gnu-bourne-again-shell-bash-arbitrary-code-execution-vulnerability)