CVE-2002-0376 in QuickTime
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Apple QuickTime 5.0 ActiveX component allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long pluginspage field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-0376 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Apple QuickTime 5.0's ActiveX component implementation. This security weakness specifically manifests when processing the pluginspage field parameter, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to gain arbitrary code execution capabilities on affected systems. The vulnerability exists within the ActiveX control mechanism that enables QuickTime functionality within web browsers, particularly targeting Internet Explorer environments where ActiveX controls are supported. The buffer overflow occurs due to insufficient input validation and bounds checking when handling the pluginspage parameter, allowing attackers to overflow the allocated memory buffer and potentially overwrite critical program execution structures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the QuickTime ActiveX component's handling of user-supplied input. When a web page containing a maliciously crafted QuickTime ActiveX control is loaded, the pluginspage field parameter is processed without adequate boundary checks. This allows an attacker to provide an excessively long string that exceeds the predetermined buffer size allocated for this parameter, causing adjacent memory locations to be overwritten. The overflow can be carefully crafted to redirect program execution flow to malicious code placed within the overflowed memory regions, effectively enabling remote code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions that occur when insufficient bounds checking allows data to be written beyond the allocated buffer boundaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-0376 is severe and far-reaching within corporate and enterprise environments where QuickTime 5.0 ActiveX components were widely deployed. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious web pages or embedding the malicious ActiveX control within legitimate websites, leading to unauthorized code execution on victim machines without requiring any user interaction beyond visiting the compromised webpage. The vulnerability affects systems running Internet Explorer with QuickTime 5.0 installed, making it particularly dangerous in corporate environments where browser-based attacks are common. Successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors within the affected networks. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1193, which involves the exploitation of ActiveX controls for code execution, and represents a classic example of how legacy ActiveX components can introduce significant security risks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-0376 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates and configuration changes. The primary solution involves upgrading to a patched version of Apple QuickTime that addresses the buffer overflow condition in the ActiveX component. Organizations should also implement browser security measures such as disabling ActiveX controls or restricting their execution through group policies and security settings. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help detect and block malicious ActiveX controls from being loaded. Additionally, security administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running vulnerable QuickTime versions and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. The vulnerability serves as a historical example of how ActiveX-based security models can introduce significant attack surface, highlighting the importance of modern security practices and the eventual deprecation of legacy ActiveX technologies in favor of more secure web standards.