CVE-2014-2168 in TelePresence TC
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Cisco TelePresence TC Software 4.x and 5.x and TE Software 4.x and 6.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted DNS response packets, aka Bug ID CSCty44804.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2168 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw affecting Cisco TelePresence TC Software versions 4.x and 5.x, as well as TE Software versions 4.x and 6.0. This security weakness resides in the handling of DNS response packets within the affected telepresence software implementations, creating a pathway for remote code execution attacks. The flaw specifically manifests when the software processes malformed or crafted DNS responses that exceed the allocated buffer space, leading to potential memory corruption and arbitrary code execution capabilities for attackers. The vulnerability impacts Cisco's unified communications and video conferencing solutions, which are widely deployed in enterprise environments for critical business communications and collaboration needs.
The technical nature of this buffer overflow vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw operates at the network protocol processing layer where DNS responses are parsed and handled by the telepresence software stack. When an attacker crafts malicious DNS response packets containing oversized data fields or malformed structures, the software's insufficient input validation causes the buffer to overflow, potentially allowing the execution of malicious code within the context of the affected application. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework's technique T1203, which involves exploitation of software vulnerabilities through network-based attacks that leverage protocol parsing flaws.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2168 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to enterprise communication systems that often serve as critical infrastructure components. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target affected systems from outside the corporate network, potentially compromising video conferencing infrastructure that may contain sensitive business information, intellectual property, or confidential communications. Organizations using Cisco TelePresence systems may experience complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or disruption of critical communication services. The attack vector through DNS responses also presents challenges for network monitoring and detection, as DNS traffic typically flows through standard network paths and may not trigger traditional security controls designed for more obvious attack signatures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch management implementation through Cisco's security advisories, as the company released specific software updates addressing the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should prioritize deployment of the patched software versions that include enhanced input validation and bounds checking mechanisms for DNS response processing. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of affected systems to untrusted networks, particularly restricting DNS query responses from external sources. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous DNS traffic patterns and malformed response packets that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing DNS sinkhole techniques and DNS filtering solutions can help prevent exploitation by blocking malicious DNS responses before they reach vulnerable systems. The remediation process should also include comprehensive vulnerability assessments of all affected Cisco TelePresence installations to ensure complete protection against similar attack vectors and to establish proper baseline security configurations for future deployments.