# CVE-2014-7169: GNU Bourne-Again Shell (Bash) Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2014-7169-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-2014-7169 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2022-01-28

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

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2014-7169 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2014-7169 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 28 January 2022. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2014-7169?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.8, published 28 January 2022.

**Which products and versions are affected?** GNU Bash through 4.3 bash43-025.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2014-7169?** 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-2014-7169 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2014-7169?** 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 bash43-025

## Timeline

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

## Related threats

- [GNU Bourne-Again Shell (Bash) Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2014-6271-gnu-bourne-again-shell-bash-arbitrary-code-execution-vulnerability)