CVE-2014-7204: jscript.c in Exuberant Ctags 5.8 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop and CPU a

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MEDIUM 5.0WATCHLISTMITIGATEMITIGATEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2014-7204 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting ubuntu linux, debian linux, exuberant ctags. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

jscript.c in Exuberant Ctags 5.8 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop and CPU and disk consumption) via a crafted JavaScript file.

Why this priority

EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	4.8% (top 8%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-399
Published	2014-10-07
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: canonical · debian · mageia

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2014-10-07 14:55 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:14 UTCUpdated Record last modified

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.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 7.0

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.

debian exuberant ctags DOWNGRADE

Affected: 5.8

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.8

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy exuberant-ctags || rpm -q exuberant-ctags || exuberant-ctags --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.8 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison exuberant-ctags sudo apt install exuberant-ctags=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.8> sudo apt-mark hold exuberant-ctags

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

dnf --showduplicates list exuberant-ctags sudo dnf downgrade exuberant-ctags-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.8> sudo dnf versionlock add exuberant-ctags

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.

mageia mageia MITIGATE

Affected: 3.0 · 4.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.0

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-2014-7204?

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

Is CVE-2014-7204 being exploited?

CVE-2014-7204 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-2014-7204 affect?

CVE-2014-7204 affects ubuntu linux, debian linux, exuberant ctags. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). jscript.c in Exuberant Ctags 5.8 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop and CPU and disk consumption) via a crafted JavaScript file.

How urgent is CVE-2014-7204?

Priority 50/100. EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Ubuntu vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities

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References

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