How severe is CVE-2014-4678?

CVE-2014-4678 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2014-4678 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 5% (92nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2014-4678?

CVE-2014-4678 primarily affects Redhat Ansible. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2014-4678?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2014-4678 published?

CVE-2014-4678 was published on 2020-02-20 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2014-4678

CVE-2014-4678 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Redhat Ansible with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-74.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 7.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 5% (92nd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-74
Affected product: Redhat Ansible
Published: 2020-02-20
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The safe_eval function in Ansible before 1.6.4 does not properly restrict the code subset, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted instructions. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2014-4657.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2014-4678?: The safe_eval function in Ansible before 1.6.4 does not properly restrict the code subset, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted instructions. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2014-4657.
How severe is CVE-2014-4678?: CVE-2014-4678 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2014-4678 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 5% (92nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2014-4678?: CVE-2014-4678 primarily affects Redhat Ansible. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2014-4678?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2014-4678 published?: CVE-2014-4678 was published on 2020-02-20 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (4)

cpe:2.3:a:redhat:ansible:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:10.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Redhat Ansible

CVE-2014-4657 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): The safe_eval function in Ansible before 1.5.4 does not properly restrict the code subset, which allows remote…
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CVE-2014-3498 — High (CVSS 8.8): The user module in ansible before 1.6.6 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands.
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