CVE-2014-9274: UnRTF allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code as demo

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HIGH 7.5WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2014-9274 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting unrtf, fedora, mageia. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

UnRTF allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code as demonstrated by a file containing the string "{\cb-999999999".

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	5.8% (top 7%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-119
Published	2014-12-09
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · fedoraproject · mageia project · unrtf project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2014-12-09 23:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:18 UTCUpdated Record last modified

unrtf project unrtf UPGRADE

Affected: <= 0.21.6

Fixed in: newer than 0.21.6

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 0.21.6 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade unrtf

Note

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

fedoraproject fedora MITIGATE

Affected: 21

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 21

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 project mageia DOWNGRADE

Affected: 4

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison mageia sudo apt install mageia=<VERSION_BEFORE_4> sudo apt-mark hold mageia

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

dnf --showduplicates list mageia sudo dnf downgrade mageia-<VERSION_BEFORE_4> sudo dnf versionlock add mageia

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.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 7.0 · 8.0

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.

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-2014-9274?

unrtf: upgrade to newer than 0.21.6; fedora: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; mageia: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2014-9274 being exploited?

CVE-2014-9274 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-2014-9274 affect?

CVE-2014-9274 affects unrtf, fedora, mageia. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). UnRTF allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code as demonstrated by a file containing the string "{\cb-999999999".

How urgent is CVE-2014-9274?

Priority 60/100. High severity; EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

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CVE-2016-10091 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in unrtf 0.21.9 allow remote attackers to cause a denial-of-service by w
CVE-2014-9275 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE UnRTF allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds memory access and crash) and possibl

References

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