CVE-2014-0694 in Cloud Portal
Summary
by MITRE
Intelligent Automation for Cloud (IAC) in Cisco Cloud Portal 9.4.1 and earlier includes a cryptographic key in binary files, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain cleartext data from an arbitrary IAC installation by leveraging knowledge of this key, aka Bug IDs CSCui34764, CSCui34772, CSCui34776, CSCui34798, CSCui34800, CSCui34805, CSCui34809, CSCui34810, CSCui34813, CSCui34814, and CSCui34818.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-0694 represents a critical cryptographic weakness in Cisco's Intelligent Automation for Cloud (IAC) component within the Cisco Cloud Portal 9.4.1 and earlier versions. This flaw stems from the improper handling of cryptographic keys within binary files, creating a significant security risk for organizations utilizing these cloud management platforms. The vulnerability exposes a hardcoded cryptographic key that remains static across installations, fundamentally undermining the security model designed to protect sensitive data within cloud environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the inclusion of a cryptographic key directly within the binary distribution files of the IAC component. This design decision violates fundamental security principles that require cryptographic keys to remain secret and dynamically generated or securely stored. Attackers who can access these binary files gain immediate knowledge of the cryptographic key, enabling them to decrypt and obtain cleartext data from any affected IAC installation. The vulnerability affects multiple bug IDs including CSCui34764 through CSCui34818, indicating a systemic issue rather than isolated failures in the cryptographic implementation.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability creates an immediate and severe risk for organizations deploying Cisco Cloud Portal solutions. Remote attackers who can access the binary files or gain sufficient privileges to extract the key can easily decrypt sensitive information, potentially including cloud configuration data, user credentials, and other confidential operational details. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass potential privilege escalation and lateral movement within cloud environments. This weakness essentially provides attackers with a backdoor mechanism to bypass encryption protections that should safeguard cloud infrastructure management data.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in software implementations, specifically targeting the use of hardcoded cryptographic keys. This weakness directly relates to the ATT&CK framework's technique T1552.001, which covers "Unsecured Credentials" and the broader category of credential access techniques. Organizations with affected systems face significant risk of data breaches and compliance violations, particularly in regulated environments where encryption requirements are mandated. The static nature of the key means that once discovered, the vulnerability remains exploitable across all affected installations without requiring additional attack vectors or system compromises.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to address the hardcoded key issue. Organizations should implement comprehensive key management practices including regular key rotation and secure storage mechanisms. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure software development practices and proper cryptographic implementation in cloud infrastructure components. System administrators should conduct thorough inventory assessments to identify all affected IAC installations and implement monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should review their overall cloud security posture and ensure that cryptographic keys are properly managed and not embedded within distributable binaries, following industry best practices for secure key management and deployment.