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Actively exploited

CVE-2014-0196 Linux Kernel Race Condition Vulnerability

Linux Kernel contains a race condition vulnerability within the n_tty_write function that allows local users to cause a denial-of-service (DoS) or gain privileges via read and write operations with long strings.

From the CISA KEV catalogue version 2026.11.06, with Cybergen analysis. Updated 6 Nov 2026.

Our Assessment

Should You Worry?

Patch urgentlyCybergen assessment
  • CISA confirmed exploitation in the wild and added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on 12 May 2023.
  • Rated Medium severity (CVSS 5.5, scored by CISA).
  • It has been in the catalogue for 1,274 days. Systems still unpatched now have almost certainly been scanned for it.
The Vulnerability

What It Is

The n_tty_write function in drivers/tty/n_tty.c in the Linux kernel through 3.14.3 does not properly manage tty driver access in the "LECHO & !OPOST" case, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (memory corruption and system crash) or gain privileges by triggering a race condition involving read and write operations with long strings.

From Watch to Action

What To Do Now

  1. 1

    Find it

    Search your asset inventory and external attack surface for Linux Kernel. Include cloud images, appliances and anything a supplier runs for you.

    Attack Surface Management
  2. 2

    Fix it

    The impacted product is end-of-life and should be disconnected if still in use.

    Vulnerability Management
  3. 3

    Hunt for compromise

    If an affected system was reachable before you patched, assume it may have been hit. Check logs, new accounts, web shells and outbound connections from the date of exposure.

    Incident Response
  4. 4

    Prove it is fixed

    Rescan or test the system after patching. Upgrades that fail silently and forgotten secondary instances are common.

    Penetration Testing

Vendor Advisories

Regulation

The Compliance Clock

Cyber EssentialsCyber Essentials requires high and critical updates (CVSS 7.0 or above) within 14 days of release. Treat any exploited flaw the same way.NIS2If exploitation causes a significant incident, essential and important entities owe their CSIRT an early warning within 24 hours and a notification within 72 hours.DORAFinancial entities must classify ICT incidents and send an initial notification for a major incident within strict deadlines, with exploited flaws a common cause.US federal (BOD 22-01)Federal civilian agencies had until 2 Jun 2023 to remediate. A sensible benchmark for everyone else.

General guidance, not legal advice. Your obligations depend on your sector, scope and jurisdiction.

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CVE-2026-46300Linux Kernel Missing Initialization of a Variable VulnerabilityAdded 28 Oct 2026CVE-2025-39964Linux Kernel Race Condition VulnerabilityAdded 18 Sep 2026CVE-2026-53266Linux Kernel Out-of-Bounds Write VulnerabilityAdded 18 Sep 2026CVE-2025-39682Linux Kernel Improper Check for Unusual or Exceptional Conditions VulnerabilityAdded 18 Sep 2026CVE-2026-53362Linux Kernel Unspecified VulnerabilityAdded 27 Aug 2026CVE-2022-0995Linux Kernel Out-of-Bounds Write VulnerabilityAdded 26 Aug 2026

All 32 exploited Linux vulnerabilities

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Evidence

Sources

  1. CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue
  2. NVD: CVE-2014-0196
  3. CVE record: CVE-2014-0196
  4. FIRST EPSS
  5. lkml.iu.edu/hypermail/linux/kernel/1609.1/02103.html
  6. ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2203-1
  7. support.f5.com/kb/en-us/solutions/public/15000/300/sol15319.html
  8. osvdb.org/106646
  9. lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2014-05/msg00012.html
  10. openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/05/05/6
  11. secunia.com/advisories/59262
  12. ubuntu.com/usn/USN-2204-1