Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is an old Perl DBI flaw affecting versions before 1.632. Some file-backed database drivers could read files outside the directory an application intended to allow. Business risk depends on whether a Perl application uses DBD::File-style drivers and exposes file or table selection to less-trusted users.
Executive priority
Treat this as a targeted legacy dependency cleanup item, not an emergency, unless critical Perl applications use file-backed DBI drivers with untrusted input. Prioritize inventory and upgrade during normal remediation windows, escalating if sensitive files could be reachable.
Technical view
CVE-2014-10401 is a directory restriction bypass in Perl DBI DBD::File drivers. The f_dir attribute did not fully constrain opened files, allowing access outside the configured folder. The source bundle identifies DBI before 1.632 as affected and points to the upstream fix and Ubuntu advisory.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely in legacy Perl applications using DBI with DBD::File drivers, especially where user input influences file-backed tables. Systems with DBI 1.632 or vendor-patched packages are less likely exposed. The provided data does not identify affected CPEs.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show KEV listing, public exploitation, or active exploitation. The issue appears to require an application path where DBI file-backed driver behavior can be influenced. Impact is mainly unintended local file access outside an expected directory boundary.
Researcher notes
Key evidence is limited but consistent: the CVE description, upstream commit, DBI 1.632 changelog, CPAN bug, and Ubuntu advisory all point to a DBD::File directory confinement flaw. No CVSS, CWE, CPE, or exploitation evidence is provided.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade Perl DBI to version 1.632 or later where feasible.
- Apply vendor-supported packages referenced by applicable distribution advisories.
- Review applications using DBD::File drivers and the f_dir attribute.
- Restrict service account filesystem permissions to only required directories.
- Check current vendor guidance before deploying compensating controls.
Validation and detection
- Inventory installed Perl DBI versions across servers and build images.
- Search application dependencies for DBI and DBD::File driver usage.
- Review code paths where user input influences file-backed table names or paths.
- Confirm vendor package versions include the CVE-2014-10401 fix.
- Add regression tests for intended file-directory confinement where applicable.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CVE-2014-10401 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
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.
CVSS and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://rt.cpan.org/Public/Bug/Display.html?id=99508CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://github.com/perl5-dbi/dbi/commit/caedc0d7d602f5b2ae5efc1b00f39efeafb7b05aCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://metacpan.org/pod/distribution/DBI/Changes#Changes-in-DBI-1.632-9th-Nov-2014CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- USN-4509-1CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_UBUNTU
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
