CVE-2014-8116: The ELF parser (readelf.c) in file before 5.21 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU consu

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MEDIUM 5.0WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2014-8116 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting file, freebsd, mageia. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The ELF parser (readelf.c) in file before 5.21 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU consumption or crash) via a large number of (1) program or (2) section headers or (3) invalid capabilities.

Why this priority

EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited
On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	4.4% (top 9%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-399
Published	2014-12-17
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: canonical · file project · freebsd · mageia

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2014-12-17 19:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:16 UTCUpdated Record last modified

file project file DOWNGRADE

Affected: 5.20

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.20

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.20 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison file sudo apt install file=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.20> sudo apt-mark hold file

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

dnf --showduplicates list file sudo dnf downgrade file-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.20> sudo dnf versionlock add file

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.

freebsd freebsd MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

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.

mageia mageia MITIGATE

Affected: 4.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.0

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.

canonical ubuntu linux MITIGATE

Affected: 10.04 · 12.04 · 14.04 · 14.10

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.04

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.

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-2014-8116?

file: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; freebsd: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; mageia: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2014-8116 being exploited?

CVE-2014-8116 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-2014-8116 affect?

CVE-2014-8116 affects file, freebsd, mageia. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). The ELF parser (readelf.c) in file before 5.21 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU consumption or crash) via a large number of (1) program or (2) section headers or (3) invalid capabilities.

How urgent is CVE-2014-8116?

Priority 45/100. EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited; On your watchlist

Software pages

Ubuntu 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

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