CVE-2014-8998: lib/message.php in X7 Chat 2.0.0 through 2.0.5.1 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary PHP co

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MEDIUM 6.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2014-8998 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.5) affecting x7 chat. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

lib/message.php in X7 Chat 2.0.0 through 2.0.5.1 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary PHP code via a crafted HTTP header to index.php, which is processed by the preg_replace function with the eval switch.

Why this priority

EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.5 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	35.9% (top 2%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-94
Published	2014-11-20
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: x7chat

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2014-11-20 13:55 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:17 UTCUpdated Record last modified

x7chat x7 chat DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.0.0 · 2.0.0 a1 · 2.0.0 a2 · 2.0.0 a3 · 2.0.0 b1 · 2.0.0 b2 · 2.0.1 a1 · 2.0.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.0.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy x7-chat || rpm -q x7-chat || x7-chat --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison x7-chat sudo apt install x7-chat=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold x7-chat

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

dnf --showduplicates list x7-chat sudo dnf downgrade x7-chat-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0.0> sudo dnf versionlock add x7-chat

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.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: X7 Chat 2.0.5 - 'message.php' PHP Code Execution (Metasploit)
Metasploit: X7 Chat 2.0.5 lib/message.php preg_replace() PHP Code Execution

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-2014-8998?

x7 chat: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2014-8998 being exploited?

CVE-2014-8998 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-2014-8998 affect?

CVE-2014-8998 affects x7 chat. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). lib/message.php in X7 Chat 2.0.0 through 2.0.5.1 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary PHP code via a crafted HTTP header to index.php, which is processed by the preg_replace function with the eval switch.

How urgent is CVE-2014-8998?

Priority 52/100. EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Software pages

PHP vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2012-6047 MEDIUM 6.8 UPGRADE Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in X7 Chat 2.0.5.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to hija

References

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