CVE-2014-3121: rxvt-unicode before 9.20 does not properly handle OSC escape sequences, which allows user-assisted remote atta

Q: How do I fix CVE-2014-3121?

rxvt-unicode: upgrade to newer than 9.19. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2014-3121 being exploited?

CVE-2014-3121 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-2014-3121 affect?

CVE-2014-3121 affects rxvt-unicode. Severity is high (CVSS 7.6). rxvt-unicode before 9.20 does not properly handle OSC escape sequences, which allows user-assisted remote attackers to manipulate arbitrary X window properties and execute arbitrary commands.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2014-3121?

Priority 49/100. High severity; EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited

This month

HIGH 7.6UPGRADE

CVE-2014-3121 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.6) affecting rxvt-unicode. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

rxvt-unicode before 9.20 does not properly handle OSC escape sequences, which allows user-assisted remote attackers to manipulate arbitrary X window properties and execute arbitrary commands.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.6 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	4.1% (top 9%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-78
Published	2014-05-14
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: marc lehmann

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2014-05-14 00:55 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:07 UTCUpdated Record last modified

marc lehmann rxvt-unicode UPGRADE

Affected: <= 9.19 · 9.0 · 9.01 · 9.02 · 9.05 · 9.06 · 9.07 · 9.08

Fixed in: newer than 9.19

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy rxvt-unicode || rpm -q rxvt-unicode || rxvt-unicode --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 9.19 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade rxvt-unicode

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade rxvt-unicode

Note

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

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-2014-3121?

rxvt-unicode: upgrade to newer than 9.19. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2014-3121 being exploited?

CVE-2014-3121 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-2014-3121 affect?

CVE-2014-3121 affects rxvt-unicode. Severity is high (CVSS 7.6). rxvt-unicode before 9.20 does not properly handle OSC escape sequences, which allows user-assisted remote attackers to manipulate arbitrary X window properties and execute arbitrary commands.

How urgent is CVE-2014-3121?

Priority 49/100. High severity; EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited

Related CVEs

CVE-2022-4170 CRITICAL 9.8 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE The rxvt-unicode package is vulnerable to a remote code execution, in the Perl background extension, when an a
CVE-2021-33477 HIGH 8.8 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE rxvt-unicode 9.22, rxvt 2.7.10, mrxvt 0.5.4, and Eterm 0.9.7 allow (potentially remote) code execution because

References

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