A new vulnerability has been found that potentially affects most versions of the Linux and Unix operating systems, in addition to Mac OS X which is based around Unix. Known as the “Bash Bug” or “ShellShock,” the GNU Bash Remote Code Execution Vulnerability CVE-2014-6271 could allow an attacker to gain control over a targeted computer if exploited successfully.
The vulnerability affects Bash, a common component known as a shell that appears in many versions of Linux and Unix. Bash acts as a command language interpreter. In other words, it allows the user to type commands into a simple text-based window, which the operating system will then run.
Bash can also be used to run commands passed to it by applications and it is this feature that the vulnerability affects. One type of command that can be sent to Bash allows environment variables to be set. Environment variables are dynamic, named values that affect the way processes are run on a computer. The vulnerability lies in the fact that an attacker can tack-on malicious code to the environment variable, which will run once the variable is received.
Symantec regards this vulnerability as critical, since Bash is widely used in Linux and Unix operating systems running on Internet-connected computers, such as Web servers. Although specific conditions need to be in place for the bug to be exploited, successful exploitation could enable remote code execution. This could not only allow an attacker to steal data from a compromised computer, but enable the attacker to gain control over the computer and potentially provide them with access to other computers on the affected network.
via ShellShock: All you need to know about the Bash Bug vulnerability | Symantec Connect.