CVE-2014-3504: The (1) serf_ssl_cert_issuer, (2) serf_ssl_cert_subject, and (3) serf_ssl_cert_certificate functions in Serf 0

This month

MEDIUM 4.0WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2014-3504 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.0) affecting subversion, ubuntu linux, serf. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The (1) serf_ssl_cert_issuer, (2) serf_ssl_cert_subject, and (3) serf_ssl_cert_certificate functions in Serf 0.2.0 through 1.3.x before 1.3.7 does not properly handle a NUL byte in a domain name in the subject's Common Name (CN) field of an X.509 certificate, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to spoof arbitrary SSL servers via a crafted certificate issued by a legitimate Certification Authority.

Why this priority

On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	3.1% (top 12%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2014-08-19
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: apache · canonical · serf project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2014-08-19 18:55 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:08 UTCUpdated Record last modified

apache subversion DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.4.0 · 1.4.1 · 1.4.2 · 1.4.3 · 1.4.4 · 1.4.5 · 1.4.6 · 1.5.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.4.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison subversion sudo apt install subversion=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.4.0> sudo apt-mark hold subversion

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

dnf --showduplicates list subversion sudo dnf downgrade subversion-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.4.0> sudo dnf versionlock add subversion

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: 12.04 · 14.04

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 12.04

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.

serf project serf DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.2.0 · 0.3.0 · 0.3.1 · 0.4.0 · 0.5.0 · 0.6.0 · 0.6.1 · 0.7.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.2.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.2.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison serf sudo apt install serf=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.2.0> sudo apt-mark hold serf

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

dnf --showduplicates list serf sudo dnf downgrade serf-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.2.0> sudo dnf versionlock add serf

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.

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-2014-3504?

subversion: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; ubuntu linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; serf: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2014-3504 being exploited?

CVE-2014-3504 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-2014-3504 affect?

CVE-2014-3504 affects subversion, ubuntu linux, serf. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.0). The (1) serf_ssl_cert_issuer, (2) serf_ssl_cert_subject, and (3) serf_ssl_cert_certificate functions in Serf 0.2.0 through 1.3.x before 1.3.7 does not properly handle a NUL byte in a domain name in the subject's Common Name (CN) field of an

How urgent is CVE-2014-3504?

Priority 41/100. On your watchlist

Software pages

Ubuntu vulnerabilities

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References

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