CVE-2014-1943: Fine Free file before 5.17 allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite recursion

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MEDIUM 5.0WATCHLISTUPGRADEUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2014-1943 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting fine free file, php, ubuntu linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Fine Free file before 5.17 allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite recursion, CPU consumption, and crash) via a crafted indirect offset value in the magic of a file.

Why this priority

EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	5.0% (top 8%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-755
Published	2014-02-18
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: canonical · debian · fine free file project · php

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2014-02-18 19:55 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:05 UTCUpdated Record last modified

fine free file project fine free file UPGRADE

Affected: < 5.17

Fixed in: 5.17

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy fine-free-file || rpm -q fine-free-file || fine-free-file --version

2. UPGRADE to 5.17 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade fine-free-file

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade fine-free-file

Note

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

php php UPGRADE

Affected: >= 5.4.0 and < 5.4.26 · >= 5.5.0 and < 5.5.10

Fixed in: 5.4.26, 5.5.10

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.4.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 5.4.26 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade php

Note

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

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison php sudo apt install php=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.4.0> sudo apt-mark hold php

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list php sudo dnf downgrade php-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.4.0> sudo dnf versionlock add php

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

canonical ubuntu linux MITIGATE

Affected: 10.04 · 12.04 · 12.10 · 13.10

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.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 6.0 · 7.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.0

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.

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-2014-1943?

fine free file: upgrade to 5.17; php: upgrade to 5.4.26, 5.5.10; ubuntu linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2014-1943 being exploited?

CVE-2014-1943 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-2014-1943 affect?

CVE-2014-1943 affects fine free file, php, ubuntu linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). Fine Free file before 5.17 allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite recursion, CPU consumption, and crash) via a crafted indirect offset value in the magic of a file.

How urgent is CVE-2014-1943?

Priority 46/100. EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited; On your watchlist

Software pages

PHP vulnerabilities · Ubuntu vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities

References

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