CVE-2014-2165 in TelePresence TC
Summary
by MITRE
The SIP implementation in Cisco TelePresence TC Software 4.x and 5.x and TE Software 4.x and 6.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device reload) via crafted SIP packets, aka Bug ID CSCtq72699.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2165 represents a critical denial of service flaw within Cisco's TelePresence communication software implementations. This weakness affects both TelePresence TC Software versions 4.x and 5.x, as well as TE Software versions 4.x and 6.0, creating a significant operational risk for organizations relying on Cisco's video conferencing infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) processing components of these software versions, which fail to properly handle malformed or crafted SIP packets that could trigger unexpected behavior in the affected systems.
The technical flaw manifests when the vulnerable software receives specially crafted SIP packets that exploit buffer handling or state management issues within the SIP stack implementation. These malformed packets can cause the TelePresence device to enter an unstable state, ultimately leading to a complete device reload or reboot. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the SIP protocol's inherent complexity and the trust model that assumes legitimate communication paths. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of length of input buffers, and CWE-20, which covers input validation issues that can lead to buffer overflows or other memory corruption scenarios. The attack vector requires remote access to the network segment where the TelePresence device operates, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from outside the organization's internal network.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service interruption, as it can severely disrupt business continuity and collaborative operations for organizations using Cisco TelePresence systems. When a device reload occurs, all active video conferences are terminated abruptly, potentially causing significant business disruption for enterprises that depend on reliable communication infrastructure. The vulnerability can be exploited by attackers without requiring authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered remotely. Organizations may experience cascading effects where multiple TelePresence devices across different locations are simultaneously affected, leading to widespread communication outages. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network disruption through service availability attacks, and T1595.001, which involves reconnaissance of network services to identify potential attack vectors. The impact is amplified by the fact that TelePresence systems are often deployed in mission-critical environments where communication reliability is paramount.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected software versions, as Cisco released security updates addressing the specific buffer handling issues in their TelePresence implementations. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict SIP traffic to only trusted sources, while also monitoring for anomalous SIP packet patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also implement intrusion detection systems capable of identifying malformed SIP traffic patterns and establish incident response procedures for rapid device recovery in case of successful exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in telecommunications software, particularly for protocols that operate in untrusted network environments. Regular security assessments of communication infrastructure and maintaining up-to-date security patches remain essential defensive measures against similar vulnerabilities in networked telepresence systems.