CVE-2014-2180 in Unified Contact Center
Summary
by MITRE
The Document Management component in Cisco Unified Contact Center Express does not properly validate a parameter, which allows remote authenticated users to upload files to arbitrary pathnames via a crafted HTTP request, aka Bug ID CSCun74133.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2180 resides within the Document Management component of Cisco Unified Contact Center Express, a critical communication platform used by organizations for contact center operations. This flaw represents a classic path traversal or directory traversal vulnerability that undermines the system's file upload security mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically affects the validation of parameters within HTTP requests, creating an exploitable condition that allows authenticated attackers to manipulate file upload destinations beyond the intended scope. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization processes that fail to properly examine or restrict the pathname parameters submitted during file upload operations. Attackers can leverage this weakness to bypass normal file upload restrictions and write malicious files to arbitrary locations on the target system, potentially compromising the entire contact center infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to possess valid authentication credentials for the Cisco Unified Contact Center Express system, as the flaw only affects authenticated users. However, this authentication requirement does not mitigate the severity of the vulnerability, as it still allows for arbitrary file placement within the system's file structure. The vulnerability operates through a crafted HTTP request that includes a specially formatted pathname parameter, which the system accepts without proper validation. This allows attackers to specify directories outside of the intended upload locations, potentially enabling them to overwrite critical system files, inject malicious code, or place backdoors within the contact center environment. The flaw essentially removes the boundaries that should normally constrain file upload operations, creating a path traversal condition that can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to system resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2180 extends beyond simple unauthorized file uploads, potentially enabling attackers to achieve persistent access to the contact center environment. Once exploited, the vulnerability could allow attackers to modify critical application files, inject malicious code into the document management system, or even escalate privileges within the contact center infrastructure. The implications are particularly severe for organizations that rely heavily on contact center operations, as this vulnerability could disrupt business continuity, compromise sensitive customer data, or provide attackers with a foothold for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability also poses risks to data integrity and confidentiality, as attackers could modify or exfiltrate documents processed through the contact center system. Organizations utilizing this platform face potential regulatory compliance issues if sensitive data is compromised through such exploitation.
Security mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-2180 should focus on implementing robust input validation and parameter sanitization within the Document Management component. Organizations should ensure that all pathname parameters received during file upload operations are thoroughly validated against a strict whitelist of acceptable directories and file types. The implementation of proper access controls and privilege separation within the contact center environment can help limit the damage that can be caused by successful exploitation. Cisco released security patches and updates to address this vulnerability, which should be implemented immediately across all affected systems. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring of file upload activities can help detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under initial access and persistence phases, where attackers establish unauthorized access and maintain control over compromised systems. Organizations should also implement comprehensive security awareness training for administrators and users to recognize potential exploitation attempts and maintain proper access control practices.