LOW
CVE-2014-3956
CWE-200Published: June 4, 2014· Updated: Jun 17, 2026
1.9
CVSS v3.1
Official Description
The sm_close_on_exec function in conf.c in sendmail before 8.14.9 has arguments in the wrong order, and consequently skips setting expected FD_CLOEXEC flags, which allows local users to access unintended high-numbered file descriptors via a custom mail-delivery program.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2014-3956 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.
Exploitation requires some privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.
From a weakness classification perspective (CWE-200): Information exposure vulnerabilities leak sensitive data to unauthorized actors.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Exploitability
Attack VectorLocal
Attack ComplexityM
Privileges Req.
User Interaction
Scope
Impact
ConfidentialityP
IntegrityNone
AvailabilityNone
AV:L/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N
Affected Vendors & Products
Exploit & PoC Resources
NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
Exploit-DB
Offensive Security exploit database
GitHub PoC Search
Community PoC repositories
Rapid7 / Metasploit
Metasploit module search
PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.
Official Patches & Advisories
All References (34)
→
ftp://ftp.sendmail.org/pub/sendmail/RELEASE_NOTESVendor Advisory
→
http://advisories.mageia.org/MGASA-2014-0270.htmlThird Party Advisory
→
http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2014-June/134349.htmlThird Party Advisory
→
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/126975/Slackware-Security-Advisory-sendmail-Updates.htmlThird Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/67791Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1030331Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
http://www.sendmail.com/sm/open_source/download/8.14.9/Patch · Vendor Advisory
Quick Facts
CVE IDCVE-2014-3956
CVSS Score1.9 / 10
SeverityLOW
WeaknessCWE-200
CISA KEVNo
Affected4 vendor(s)
PublishedJun 4, 2014
Related CVEs (CWE-200)
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2014-3956 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWATCH.COM. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.