CVE-2014-0476: The slapper function in chkrootkit before 0.50 does not properly quote file paths, which allows local users to

Q: How do I fix CVE-2014-0476?

chkrootkit: upgrade to newer than 0.49; ubuntu linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2014-0476 being exploited?

CVE-2014-0476 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2014-0476 affect?

CVE-2014-0476 affects chkrootkit, ubuntu linux. Severity is low (CVSS 3.7). The slapper function in chkrootkit before 0.50 does not properly quote file paths, which allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a Trojan horse executable. NOTE: this is only a vulnerability when /tmp is not mounted with the noexe

Q: How urgent is CVE-2014-0476?

Priority 45/100. EPSS top 10%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

This month

LOW 3.7WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2014-0476 is a low-severity flaw (CVSS 3.7) affecting chkrootkit, ubuntu linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The slapper function in chkrootkit before 0.50 does not properly quote file paths, which allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a Trojan horse executable. NOTE: this is only a vulnerability when /tmp is not mounted with the noexec option.

Why this priority

EPSS top 10%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	3.7 (Low)
EPSS exploit chance	3.8% (top 10%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-20
Published	2014-10-25
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Debian GNU/Linux · Vendor: canonical · chkrootkit

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2014-10-25 22:55 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:03 UTCUpdated Record last modified

chkrootkit chkrootkit UPGRADE

Affected: <= 0.49

Fixed in: newer than 0.49

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy chkrootkit || rpm -q chkrootkit || chkrootkit --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 0.49 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade chkrootkit

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade chkrootkit

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

canonical ubuntu linux MITIGATE

Affected: 10.04 · 12.04 · 13.10 · 14.04

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.04

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: Chkrootkit - Local Privilege Escalation (Metasploit)
Exploit-DB: Chkrootkit 0.49 - Local Privilege Escalation
Metasploit: Chkrootkit Local Privilege Escalation

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2014-0476?

chkrootkit: upgrade to newer than 0.49; ubuntu linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2014-0476 being exploited?

CVE-2014-0476 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2014-0476 affect?

CVE-2014-0476 affects chkrootkit, ubuntu linux. Severity is low (CVSS 3.7). The slapper function in chkrootkit before 0.50 does not properly quote file paths, which allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a Trojan horse executable. NOTE: this is only a vulnerability when /tmp is not mounted with the noexe

How urgent is CVE-2014-0476?

Priority 45/100. EPSS top 10%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Ubuntu vulnerabilities

References

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