CVE-2014-2172 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 local users to gain privileges by leveraging improper handling of the u-boot compiler flag for internal executable files, aka Bug ID CSCub67693.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2172 represents a critical buffer overflow condition affecting Cisco TelePresence video conferencing systems running software versions 4.x and 5.x for TC platforms and 4.x and 6.0 for TE platforms. This flaw resides in the improper handling of u-boot compiler flags during the processing of internal executable files, creating a pathway for local attackers to escalate their privileges within the system. The vulnerability specifically targets the firmware compilation process where the u-boot bootloader configuration is manipulated, allowing malicious code execution with elevated privileges. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and memory boundary checking within the software's compilation environment, which directly violates secure coding principles outlined in the CWE-121 category for buffer overflow conditions. This vulnerability operates at the system level where local users can exploit the improperly sanitized compiler flags to overwrite memory locations and potentially execute arbitrary code with higher privileges than initially granted.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of u-boot compiler flags that are used during the firmware build process of Cisco TelePresence devices. When the system processes internal executable files, it fails to properly validate the length and content of these compiler flags, allowing an attacker to craft malicious inputs that exceed the allocated buffer space. This buffer overflow condition occurs during the compilation phase where the system attempts to store compiler flag information in memory locations that are insufficiently sized to handle the potentially large input data. The exploitation mechanism leverages the fact that the system does not perform adequate bounds checking on the user-supplied parameters that are passed to the u-boot compilation environment. This allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data, enabling privilege escalation from a standard user account to a root-level administrative account. The vulnerability specifically affects systems where the TelePresence software is installed with default configurations that permit local user access to the compilation environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2172 extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected TelePresence devices. Once successfully exploited, local users can gain root access to the system and potentially access sensitive configuration data, modify system parameters, or establish persistent backdoors within the video conferencing infrastructure. The vulnerability's presence in both TC and TE software platforms creates widespread exposure across Cisco's TelePresence ecosystem, affecting organizations that rely on these systems for critical communications infrastructure. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only local access to the system, making it accessible to users who have legitimate access to the device but may not have administrative privileges. This creates a significant risk for organizations where unauthorized personnel might have physical or network access to these devices, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to video conferencing sessions. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in data exfiltration, system disruption, and potential lateral movement within network environments where these devices are integrated.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-2172 should focus on immediate software updates and access control measures to prevent exploitation of the buffer overflow condition. Cisco has released patches addressing this vulnerability in subsequent software releases, and organizations should prioritize applying these updates to all affected TelePresence devices. System administrators should implement strict access controls to limit local user privileges and restrict access to the compilation environments where the vulnerability can be exploited. Network segmentation strategies should be employed to isolate TelePresence systems from general network access, reducing the attack surface available to potential attackers. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their TelePresence infrastructure to identify any unauthorized modifications or access attempts that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-121 and its operational characteristics align with ATT&CK techniques for privilege escalation and execution through compiler manipulation, highlighting the need for comprehensive security controls that address both software-level and operational security measures. Regular monitoring of system logs for unusual compilation activities and unauthorized access attempts should be implemented as part of the overall security posture for these critical communication systems.