CVE-2014-2171 in TelePresence TC
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in Cisco TelePresence TC Software 4.x through 6.x before 6.0.1 and TE Software 4.x and 6.0.x before 6.0.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted SIP packets, aka Bug ID CSCud81796.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2171 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in Cisco TelePresence software implementations that affected versions 4.x through 6.x before 6.0.1 and TE Software 4.x and 6.0.x before 6.0.2. This flaw resides within the SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) packet processing functionality of Cisco's video conferencing systems, creating a remote code execution vector that could be exploited by attackers without authentication. The vulnerability specifically impacts Cisco TelePresence TC (TelePresence Control) and TE (TelePresence Endpoint) software implementations, which are widely deployed in enterprise communication environments and government facilities worldwide. The bug ID CSCud81796 indicates this was tracked as a significant security flaw within Cisco's internal vulnerability management system, highlighting the potential severity of the issue.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the heap memory management of the TelePresence software when processing crafted SIP packets. The buffer overflow manifests when the system receives malformed SIP messages that exceed allocated memory boundaries, causing memory corruption that can be leveraged to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This heap-based overflow creates opportunities for attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges or authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where SIP traffic flows freely. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and memory management practices that are commonly associated with CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow conditions, which are classified under the broader category of memory safety issues.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2171 extends beyond simple remote code execution to potentially compromise entire video conferencing infrastructures and associated network resources. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain full control over affected TelePresence systems, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive video conferencing sessions, data exfiltration, or disruption of critical communication services. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Cisco TelePresence solutions for secure communications, including financial institutions, government agencies, and healthcare organizations that handle confidential information. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers could target these systems from outside the organization's network perimeter, making traditional network segmentation less effective as a protective measure. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, demonstrating how exploitation of memory corruption flaws can lead to persistent system compromise.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies including applying the relevant Cisco security patches, which were released as part of the 6.0.1 and 6.0.2 software updates. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit exposure of TelePresence systems to untrusted networks, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous SIP traffic patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing robust input validation practices in networked applications. Security teams should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malicious SIP packets, as well as conducting regular vulnerability assessments of telepresence and video conferencing systems to identify similar memory safety issues. The incident underscores the critical need for secure coding practices and regular security testing of network infrastructure components that handle external communications protocols.