CVE-2014-8121

What it is

DB_LOOKUP in nss_files/files-XXX.c in the Name Service Switch (NSS) in GNU C Library (aka glibc or libc6) 2.21 and earlier does not properly check if a file is open, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop) by performing a look-up on a database while iterating over it, which triggers the file pointer to be reset.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network without logging in. Limited direct impact.

Exploit odds

5.6% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

No patch or advisory is linked yet. Look at mitigations or restrict exposure.

Timeline

1. 2015-03-27 14:59 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-17 00:16 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 5.6% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 5.0 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: none linked yet, which raises it.

Details

Published

2015-03-27 14:59 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 00:16 UTC

Exploit probability

5.6% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-17

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Suse Linux Enterprise Desktop 11
• Suse Linux Enterprise Server 11.0
• Gnu Glibc ≤ 2.21
• Canonical Ubuntu Linux 12.04
• Canonical Ubuntu Linux 14.04
• Canonical Ubuntu Linux 15.10

Attack profile CVSS 2.0 · 5.0

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Low

Authentication

None

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

None

Availability

Partial

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2014-8121.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2014-8121. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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