CVE-2014-2170 in TelePresence TC
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco TelePresence TC Software 4.x and 5.x before 5.1.7 and 6.x before 6.0.1 and TE Software 4.x and 6.0 allow remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands by using the commands as arguments to tshell (aka tcsh) scripts, aka Bug ID CSCue60202.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2170 represents a critical command injection flaw affecting Cisco TelePresence and TelePresence Endpoint software versions. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user-supplied input within the tshell scripting environment, which serves as the underlying shell for executing system commands on affected devices. The flaw specifically impacts TelePresence software versions 4.x and 5.x prior to 5.1.7, 6.x prior to 6.0.1, and TE software versions 4.x and 6.0, creating a persistent security risk across multiple product lines. The vulnerability operates through the manipulation of command arguments passed to the tcsh shell, which is a variant of the C shell used in Unix-like systems for executing scripts and commands. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-78, which specifically addresses OS Command Injection, making it a well-documented and dangerous class of vulnerability that can lead to complete system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to possess valid authentication credentials for the affected system, establishing a privilege escalation vector that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter. When authenticated users submit malicious input through the tshell interface, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate the command arguments before executing them within the shell environment. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary commands that get executed with the privileges of the affected service account, typically running with elevated system permissions. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the TelePresence software's command processing pipeline, where user-supplied parameters are directly incorporated into shell execution contexts without proper escaping or filtering mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to completely compromise the affected TelePresence systems. Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized access to sensitive video conferencing data, potential network pivoting to internal systems, and complete system takeover. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that TelePresence systems are often deployed in enterprise environments where they may have access to critical network resources and sensitive communications channels. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access, exfiltrate confidential meeting data, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the enterprise network. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple software versions indicates a fundamental flaw in the input handling architecture that requires comprehensive remediation rather than simple patch application.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-2170 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected TelePresence and TelePresence Endpoint systems to the patched versions mentioned in the CVE description, specifically versions 5.1.7 and 6.0.1 respectively. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit the attack surface, particularly restricting direct network access to TelePresence devices from untrusted networks. Additionally, implementing strict input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application code, along with regular security code reviews and penetration testing, can help identify and prevent similar command injection vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include monitoring for unauthorized access attempts and implementing proper logging of shell command executions to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious command execution patterns that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.