CVE-2014-3956: The sm_close_on_exec function in conf.c in sendmail before 8.14.9 has arguments in the wrong order, and conseq

Q: How do I fix CVE-2014-3956?

freebsd: upgrade to newer than 9.2; hpux: upgrade to newer than b.11.31; fedora: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2014-3956 being exploited?

CVE-2014-3956 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-2014-3956 affect?

CVE-2014-3956 affects freebsd, hpux, fedora. Severity is low (CVSS 1.9). The sm_close_on_exec function in conf.c in sendmail before 8.14.9 has arguments in the wrong order, and consequently skips setting expected FD_CLOEXEC flags, which allows local users to access unintended high-numbered file descriptors via a

Q: How urgent is CVE-2014-3956?

Priority 19/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Routine

LOW 1.9UPGRADEUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2014-3956 is a low-severity flaw (CVSS 1.9) affecting freebsd, hpux, fedora. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The sm_close_on_exec function in conf.c in sendmail before 8.14.9 has arguments in the wrong order, and consequently skips setting expected FD_CLOEXEC flags, which allows local users to access unintended high-numbered file descriptors via a custom mail-delivery program.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	1.9 (Low)
EPSS exploit chance	0.6% (top 50%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-200
Published	2014-06-04
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: fedoraproject · freebsd · hp · sendmail

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2014-06-04 11:19 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:09 UTCUpdated Record last modified

freebsd freebsd UPGRADE

Affected: <= 9.2

Fixed in: newer than 9.2

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

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.

hp hpux UPGRADE

Affected: <= b.11.31

Fixed in: newer than b.11.31

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than b.11.31 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade hpux

Note

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

fedoraproject fedora MITIGATE

Affected: 20

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 20

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.

sendmail sendmail UPGRADE

Affected: <= 8.14.8 · 8.6.7 · 8.7.6 · 8.7.7 · 8.7.8 · 8.7.9 · 8.7.10 · 8.8.8

Fixed in: newer than 8.14.8

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 8.14.8 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade sendmail

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-2014-3956?

freebsd: upgrade to newer than 9.2; hpux: upgrade to newer than b.11.31; fedora: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2014-3956 being exploited?

CVE-2014-3956 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-2014-3956 affect?

CVE-2014-3956 affects freebsd, hpux, fedora. Severity is low (CVSS 1.9). The sm_close_on_exec function in conf.c in sendmail before 8.14.9 has arguments in the wrong order, and consequently skips setting expected FD_CLOEXEC flags, which allows local users to access unintended high-numbered file descriptors via a

How urgent is CVE-2014-3956?

Priority 19/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

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References

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