CVE-2014-5354: plugins/kdb/ldap/libkdb_ldap/ldap_principal2.c in MIT Kerberos 5 (aka krb5) 1.12.x and 1.13.x before 1.13.1, w

Routine

LOW 3.5DOWNGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2014-5354 is a low-severity flaw (CVSS 3.5) affecting kerberos, kerberos 5. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

plugins/kdb/ldap/libkdb_ldap/ldap_principal2.c in MIT Kerberos 5 (aka krb5) 1.12.x and 1.13.x before 1.13.1, when the KDC uses LDAP, allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and daemon crash) by creating a database entry for a keyless principal, as demonstrated by a kadmin "add_principal -nokey" or "purgekeys -all" command.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	3.5 (Low)
EPSS exploit chance	1.7% (top 22%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2014-12-16
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: mit

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2014-12-16 23:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:11 UTCUpdated Record last modified

mit kerberos DOWNGRADE

Affected: 5_1.13

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5_1.13

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 5_1.13 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison kerberos sudo apt install kerberos=<VERSION_BEFORE_5_1.13> sudo apt-mark hold kerberos

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

dnf --showduplicates list kerberos sudo dnf downgrade kerberos-<VERSION_BEFORE_5_1.13> sudo dnf versionlock add kerberos

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.

mit kerberos 5 DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.12 · 1.12.1 · 1.12.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.12

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy kerberos-5 || rpm -q kerberos-5 || kerberos-5 --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.12 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison kerberos-5 sudo apt install kerberos-5=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.12> sudo apt-mark hold kerberos-5

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

dnf --showduplicates list kerberos-5 sudo dnf downgrade kerberos-5-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.12> sudo dnf versionlock add kerberos-5

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-2014-5354?

kerberos: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; kerberos 5: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2014-5354 being exploited?

CVE-2014-5354 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-2014-5354 affect?

CVE-2014-5354 affects kerberos, kerberos 5. Severity is low (CVSS 3.5). plugins/kdb/ldap/libkdb_ldap/ldap_principal2.c in MIT Kerberos 5 (aka krb5) 1.12.x and 1.13.x before 1.13.1, when the KDC uses LDAP, allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and daemon crash)

How urgent is CVE-2014-5354?

Priority 32/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

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References

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