CVE-2002-0252 in QuickTime
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Apple QuickTime Player 5.01 and 5.02 allows remote web servers to execute arbitrary code via a response containing a long Content-Type MIME header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0252 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Apple QuickTime Player versions 5.01 and 5.02 that enables remote code execution through malicious web server responses. This security weakness specifically targets the handling of Content-Type MIME headers during media file processing, creating a pathway for attackers to exploit the application's memory management flaws. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of web protocol handling and client-side media processing, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently access untrusted web content. The buffer overflow occurs when the QuickTime Player processes a response from a remote web server containing an excessively long Content-Type header field, causing the application to overwrite adjacent memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries.
This technical flaw falls under the CWE-121 buffer overflow category, specifically manifesting as a stack-based buffer overflow within the QuickTime Player's MIME header parsing routine. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-787 out-of-bounds write conditions where the application fails to properly validate the length of incoming data before copying it into fixed-size buffers. The attack vector leverages the HTTP protocol's Content-Type header field, which is commonly used to specify the media type of content being transmitted. When a malicious web server sends a response containing an overly long Content-Type header, the QuickTime Player's parsing mechanism fails to enforce length limits, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of the user's computing environment. Attackers can leverage this weakness to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors on affected systems without requiring user interaction beyond visiting a malicious website. The vulnerability affects systems where QuickTime Player is installed and actively processes web content, making it particularly dangerous in corporate environments where users may encounter untrusted web content during routine browsing activities. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that QuickTime Player often runs with elevated privileges, potentially allowing attackers to gain administrative access to compromised systems. This weakness also demonstrates the broader risk associated with media processing applications that lack proper input validation mechanisms, particularly when handling data from untrusted sources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-0252 should focus on immediate application updates and network-level protections to prevent exploitation. Apple released patches for QuickTime Player versions 5.01 and 5.02 that address the buffer overflow by implementing proper input validation and length checking for Content-Type headers. Organizations should implement network segmentation and proxy configurations that filter or truncate overly long MIME headers before they reach client applications. The use of web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can help detect and block malicious Content-Type headers that exceed normal length parameters. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of visiting untrusted websites and the importance of keeping software updated remains crucial in preventing exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 exploitation for execution through web-based attacks, highlighting the need for comprehensive security measures that address both application-level and network-level defenses. The incident underscores the importance of proper input validation in client-side applications and the necessity of regular security updates to protect against known vulnerabilities in widely used software components.