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CVE Record

CVE-2014-10072: In utils.c in zsh before 5.0.6, there is a buffer overflow when scanning very long directory paths for symb...

In utils.c in zsh before 5.0.6, there is a buffer overflow when scanning very long directory paths for symbolic links.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2014-10072 is an old zsh shell flaw: versions before 5.0.6 can overflow a buffer while processing very long directory paths containing symbolic-link checks. The business concern is mainly legacy systems still running outdated zsh, not broad internet exposure based on the provided sources.

Executive priority

Treat this as a legacy hygiene issue unless asset inventory shows old zsh on important multi-user systems. There is no provided evidence of active exploitation, but buffer overflows in shell components deserve cleanup because exposure can persist quietly on older servers.

Technical view

The CVE describes a buffer overflow in zsh utils.c before 5.0.6 during symbolic-link scanning of very long directory paths. Ubuntu and Red Hat issued advisories in 2018, and the source bundle links to an upstream code change. No CVSS, CWE, or detailed impact rating is provided.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on Linux or Unix systems with zsh older than 5.0.6, especially unmanaged legacy hosts. The provided affected-product metadata is incomplete, so rely on installed package versions and vendor advisory status rather than product names in the CVE record.

Exploitation context

The bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or any cited evidence of active exploitation. The described trigger is path handling inside zsh, so network-facing exposure is not established by these sources. Practical risk depends on whether outdated zsh is present and reachable by local users or workflows.

Researcher notes

Key evidence is sparse: the CVE text states the vulnerable condition and version boundary, while advisories confirm vendor handling. The source bundle does not provide CVSS, exploitability details, or affected package versions. Validate using distro-specific package metadata before assigning final operational severity.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade zsh using vendor-supported packages or a version at least 5.0.6.
  • Apply relevant Ubuntu or Red Hat security advisories where those distributions are in use.
  • Retire or isolate systems that cannot receive supported zsh updates.
  • Limit untrusted local shell access on systems awaiting remediation.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory all systems for installed zsh versions, including legacy and non-default shells.
  • Compare installed packages against Ubuntu, Red Hat, or upstream fixed-version guidance.
  • Check for unmanaged or manually installed zsh binaries outside package-manager control.
  • Confirm patched systems report zsh 5.0.6 or a vendor-fixed backport.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
6

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
5Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.