CVE-2014-2978: The Dispatch_Write function in proxy/dispatcher/idirectfbsurface_dispatcher.c in DirectFB 1.4.4 allows remote

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HIGH 10.0WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2014-2978 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 10.0) affecting directfb, opensuse, linux enterprise desktop. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The Dispatch_Write function in proxy/dispatcher/idirectfbsurface_dispatcher.c in DirectFB 1.4.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via the Voodoo interface, which triggers an out-of-bounds write.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited
On your watchlist

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	10.0 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	6.1% (top 7%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-119
Published	2014-06-11
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: directfb · opensuse · suse

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2014-06-11 14:55 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:07 UTCUpdated Record last modified

directfb directfb DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.4.4

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.4.4

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.4.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison directfb sudo apt install directfb=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.4.4> sudo apt-mark hold directfb

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list directfb sudo dnf downgrade directfb-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.4.4> sudo dnf versionlock add directfb

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.

opensuse opensuse MITIGATE

Affected: 13.1 · 13.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 13.1

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.

suse linux enterprise desktop MITIGATE

Affected: 12

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 12

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.

suse linux enterprise software development kit MITIGATE

Affected: 12

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 12

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.

suse linux enterprise workstation extension MITIGATE

Affected: 12

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 12

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.

suse suse linux enterprise server MITIGATE

Affected: 12

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 12

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-2014-2978?

directfb: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; opensuse: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; linux enterprise desktop: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2014-2978 being exploited?

CVE-2014-2978 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-2014-2978 affect?

CVE-2014-2978 affects directfb, opensuse, linux enterprise desktop. Severity is high (CVSS 10.0). The Dispatch_Write function in proxy/dispatcher/idirectfbsurface_dispatcher.c in DirectFB 1.4.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via the Voodoo interface, which triggers an out

How urgent is CVE-2014-2978?

Priority 63/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited; On your watchlist

Related CVEs

CVE-2014-2977 HIGH 10.0 MITIGATE MITIGATE Multiple integer signedness errors in the Dispatch_Write function in proxy/dispatcher/idirectfbsurface_dispatc

References

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