CVE-2014-2141 in ONS 15454
Summary
by MITRE
The session-termination functionality on Cisco ONS 15454 controller cards with software 9.6 and earlier does not initialize an unspecified pointer, which allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (card reset) via crafted session-close actions, aka Bug ID CSCug97416.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2141 affects Cisco ONS 15454 controller cards running software versions 9.6 and earlier, representing a critical flaw in the session termination mechanism that can be exploited remotely by authenticated attackers. This issue stems from improper pointer initialization within the session-termination functionality, creating a condition where maliciously crafted session-close actions can trigger unexpected system behavior leading to complete card resets. The vulnerability specifically impacts the controller cards responsible for managing network traffic and maintaining session state within the Cisco ONS 15454 platform, which operates as a dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) transport system designed for high-capacity optical networking applications.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the failure to properly initialize an unspecified pointer variable during session termination processing, which falls under the category of improper initialization as classified by CWE-457. When remote authenticated users send specially crafted session-close messages, the uninitialized pointer causes the system to behave unpredictably, ultimately resulting in a card reset operation that disrupts network services. This type of vulnerability represents a classic example of how seemingly minor software initialization errors can lead to significant operational impacts in network infrastructure devices. The bug ID CSCug97416 specifically documents this issue within Cisco's internal tracking systems, highlighting the severity of the problem in production network environments where continuous uptime is critical.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2141 extends beyond simple service disruption, as controller card resets can lead to complete network outages or service degradation across affected segments of the optical transport network. Network administrators managing Cisco ONS 15454 systems face the challenge of maintaining service availability while addressing this vulnerability, particularly since the attack requires only authenticated access to the system, making it more accessible than many other network vulnerabilities. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the network equipment, potentially allowing for coordinated attacks against multiple network segments simultaneously. This vulnerability directly impacts the availability aspect of the CIA triad, as it enables denial of service attacks that can compromise network reliability and service continuity.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate software upgrades to Cisco ONS 15454 controller cards with software versions 9.7 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the uninitialized pointer issue. Network administrators should also implement access controls to limit authentication privileges and monitor for suspicious session-close activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service and represents a specific implementation flaw that could be classified under the broader category of software fault injection attacks. Organizations should also consider network segmentation strategies to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, particularly in critical infrastructure environments where network reliability is paramount. Regular security assessments and vulnerability management processes should include verification of controller card software versions to prevent similar issues from affecting other network components.