CVE-2014-3538: file before 5.19 does not properly restrict the amount of data read during a regex search, which allows remote

This week

MEDIUM 5.0WATCHLISTUPGRADEUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2014-3538 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting file, php, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

file before 5.19 does not properly restrict the amount of data read during a regex search, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU consumption) via a crafted file that triggers backtracking during processing of an awk rule. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2013-7345.

Why this priority

EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	11.8% (top 4%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-399
Published	2014-07-03
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: christos zoulas · debian · php

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2014-07-03 14:55 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:08 UTCUpdated Record last modified

christos zoulas file UPGRADE

Affected: <= 5.18 · 5.00 · 5.01 · 5.02 · 5.03 · 5.04 · 5.05 · 5.06

Fixed in: newer than 5.18

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 5.18 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade 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 < 5.4.32 · >= 5.5.0 and < 5.5.16

Fixed in: 5.4.32, 5.5.16

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 5.4.32 (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.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 7.0 · 8.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0

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-2014-3538?

file: upgrade to newer than 5.18; php: upgrade to 5.4.32, 5.5.16; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2014-3538 being exploited?

CVE-2014-3538 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-2014-3538 affect?

CVE-2014-3538 affects file, php, debian linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). file before 5.19 does not properly restrict the amount of data read during a regex search, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU consumption) via a crafted file that triggers backtracking during processing of an aw

How urgent is CVE-2014-3538?

Priority 52/100. EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

PHP vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2019-8906 MEDIUM 4.4 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE do_core_note in readelf.c in libmagic.a in file 5.35 has an out-of-bounds read because memcpy is misused.
CVE-2022-48554 MEDIUM 5.5 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE File before 5.43 has an stack-based buffer over-read in file_copystr in funcs.c
CVE-2019-8907 HIGH 8.8 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE do_core_note in readelf.c in libmagic.a in file 5.35 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (sta
CVE-2019-8905 MEDIUM 4.4 MITIGATE DOWNGRADE do_core_note in readelf.c in libmagic.a in file 5.35 has a stack-based buffer over-read, related to file_print
CVE-2019-8904 HIGH 8.8 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE do_bid_note in readelf.c in libmagic.a in file 5.35 has a stack-based buffer over-read, related to file_printf

References

← Back to latest CVEs