CVE-2014-3203: Unity before 7.2.1, as used in Ubuntu 14.04, does not properly restrict access to the Dash when the lock scree

Q: How do I fix CVE-2014-3203?

unity: upgrade to newer than 7.2.0; ubuntu linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2014-3203 being exploited?

CVE-2014-3203 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-2014-3203 affect?

CVE-2014-3203 affects unity, ubuntu linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.4). Unity before 7.2.1, as used in Ubuntu 14.04, does not properly restrict access to the Dash when the lock screen is active, which allows physically proximate attackers to bypass the lock screen and execute arbitrary commands, as demonstrated

Q: How urgent is CVE-2014-3203?

Priority 36/100. Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Routine

MEDIUM 4.4WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2014-3203 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.4) affecting unity, ubuntu linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Unity before 7.2.1, as used in Ubuntu 14.04, does not properly restrict access to the Dash when the lock screen is active, which allows physically proximate attackers to bypass the lock screen and execute arbitrary commands, as demonstrated by pressing the SUPER key before the screen auto-locks.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.4 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	0.5% (top 56%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-264
Published	2014-05-06
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Canonical Ltd. · Vendor: ayatana project · canonical

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

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

ayatana project unity UPGRADE

Affected: <= 7.2.0 · 7.0.0 · 7.0.1 · 7.1.0 · 7.1.1 · 7.1.2 · 7.1.3

Fixed in: newer than 7.2.0

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 7.2.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade unity

Note

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

canonical ubuntu linux MITIGATE

Affected: 14.04

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 14.04

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.

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-2014-3203?

unity: upgrade to newer than 7.2.0; ubuntu linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2014-3203 being exploited?

CVE-2014-3203 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-2014-3203 affect?

CVE-2014-3203 affects unity, ubuntu linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.4). Unity before 7.2.1, as used in Ubuntu 14.04, does not properly restrict access to the Dash when the lock screen is active, which allows physically proximate attackers to bypass the lock screen and execute arbitrary commands, as demonstrated

How urgent is CVE-2014-3203?

Priority 36/100. Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Ubuntu vulnerabilities · Unity vulnerabilities

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References

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