CVE-2014-4678

Name: CVE-2014-4678
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-02-20T03:15:10.717+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10EPSS 5.07%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2014-4678 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. The safe_eval function in Ansible before 1.6.4 does not properly restrict the code subset, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted instructions. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2014-4657.. EPSS estimates a 5.07% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The safe_eval function in Ansible before 1.6.4 does not properly restrict the code subset, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted instructions. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2014-4657.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

5.07%

91.2th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-74

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Redhat	Ansible	< 1.6.4
Debian	Debian Linux	8.0
Debian	Debian Linux	9.0
Debian	Debian Linux	10.0

References

https://github.com/ansible/ansible/commit/5429b85b9f6c2e640074176f36ff05fd5e4d1916Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://groups.google.com/forum/message/raw?msg=ansible-announce/ieV1vZvcTXU/5Q93ThkY9rIJThird Party Advisory
https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2014-4678Third Party Advisory
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/06/26/30Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/07/02/2Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://www.rapid7.com/db/vulnerabilities/freebsd-vid-2c493ac8-205e-11e5-a4a5-002590263bf5Third Party Advisory
https://www.rapid7.com/db/vulnerabilities/gentoo-linux-cve-2014-4678Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/ansible/ansible/commit/5429b85b9f6c2e640074176f36ff05fd5e4d1916Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://groups.google.com/forum/message/raw?msg=ansible-announce/ieV1vZvcTXU/5Q93ThkY9rIJThird Party Advisory
https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2014-4678Third Party Advisory
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/06/26/30Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/07/02/2Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://www.rapid7.com/db/vulnerabilities/freebsd-vid-2c493ac8-205e-11e5-a4a5-002590263bf5Third Party Advisory
https://www.rapid7.com/db/vulnerabilities/gentoo-linux-cve-2014-4678Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Feb 20, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2014-4678?

How severe is CVE-2014-4678?

CVE-2014-4678 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 5.07% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2014-4678?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2014-4678?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST