---
title: "CVE-2014-5439\n    | Ubuntu"
description: Ubuntu is an open source software operating system that runs from the
  desktop, to the cloud, to all your internet connected things.
url: https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2014-5439?format=md
keywords: index, follow
---

# CVE-2014-5439

Publication date 19 November 2019

Last updated 25 August 2025

---

Ubuntu priority

**Medium**

[Why this priority?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#priority )

## Cvss 3 Severity Score

**7.8 · High**

[Score breakdown](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2014-5439?format=md#impact-score)

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## Description

Multiple Stack-based Buffer Overflow vulnerabilities exists in Sniffit
prior to 0.3.7 via a crafted configuration file that will bypass
Non-eXecutable bit NX, stack smashing protector SSP, and address space
layout randomization ASLR protection mechanisms, which could let a
malicious user execute arbitrary code.

### From the Ubuntu Security Team

It was discovered that SniffIt incorrectly handled certain configuration
files. An attacker could possibly use this issue to execute arbitrary
code.

[Read the notes from the security team](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2014-5439?format=md#notes)

## Status

Show unmaintained releases

| Package | Ubuntu Release | Status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| sniffit | 20.10 groovy | Not affected |
| 20.04 LTS focal | Not affected |
| 19.10 eoan | Not affected |
| 19.04 disco | Not affected |
| 18.10 cosmic | Not affected |
| 18.04 LTS bionic | Not affected |
| 17.10 artful | Not affected |
| 17.04 zesty | Not affected |
| 16.10 yakkety | Ignored end of life |
| 16.04 LTS xenial | Fixed 0.3.7.beta-19ubuntu0.1 |
| 14.04 LTS trusty | Fixed 0.3.7.beta-17+deb8u1build0.14.04.1 |
| 12.04 LTS precise | Ignored end of life |

---

* [How can I get the fixes?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#security)
* [What do statuses mean?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#statuses)

## Notes

---

### [sbeattie](https://launchpad.net/~sbeattie)

sniffit is not setuid, so this issue only affects
configurations where a user is only permitted to run a subset of
administrative (e.g. using a sudo configuration that only allows a
user to run sniffit).

## Severity score breakdown

CVSS version:
CVSS v3.0

**Base score**

7.8 · High

* Base metrics

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Attack vector | Local |
  | Attack complexity | Low |
  | Privileges required | None |
  | User interaction | Required |
  | Scope | Unchanged |
  | Confidentiality impact | High |
  | Integrity impact | High |
  | Availability impact | High |
* Scores

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Base score | 7.8 · High |
  | Exploitability score | - |
  | Impact score | - |

**Vector:** CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

## References

* [MITRE](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2014-5439)
* [NVD](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2014-5439)
* [Launchpad](https://launchpad.net/bugs/cve/CVE-2014-5439)
* [Debian](https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2014-5439)

### Related Ubuntu Security Notices (USN)

+ [USN-4652-1](https://usn.ubuntu.com/USN-4652-1)
+ SniffIt vulnerability
+ 30 November 2020

### Other references

* <http://hmarco.org/bugs/CVE-2014-5439-sniffit_0.3.7-stack-buffer-overflow.html>
* <https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2014-5439>