CVE-2014-7990

What it is

Cisco IOS XE 3.5E and earlier on WS-C3850, WS-C3860, and AIR-CT5760 devices does not properly parse the "request system shell" challenge response, which allows local users to obtain Linux root access by leveraging administrative privilege, aka Bug ID CSCur09815.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine with a login. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.

Exploit odds

0.3% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2014-11-07 11:55 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-17 00:16 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.3% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 6.8 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2014-11-07 11:55 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 00:16 UTC

Exploit probability

0.3% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-20 · Improper input validation

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Cisco iOS Xe ≤ 3.5e
• Cisco air-ct5760
• Cisco ws-c3850
• Cisco ws-c3860

Attack profile CVSS 2.0 · 6.8

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Authentication

Single

Confidentiality

Complete

Integrity

Complete

Availability

Complete

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2014-7990.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2014-7990. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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