CVE-2005-2756 in QuickTime
Summary
by MITRE
Apple QuickTime before 7.0.3 allows user-assisted attackers to overwrite memory and execute arbitrary code via a crafted PICT file that triggers an overflow during expansion.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2756 represents a critical memory corruption flaw in Apple QuickTime software versions prior to 7.0.3. This vulnerability resides in the handling of PICT (Picture) file format data structures, specifically during the expansion process of these image files. The flaw manifests when a maliciously crafted PICT file is processed by the QuickTime framework, leading to improper memory management that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. The vulnerability operates through a buffer overflow condition that occurs during the parsing and rendering of PICT format data, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw specifically occurs during the expansion phase of PICT file processing, where the QuickTime component fails to properly validate the size and structure of incoming data before allocating memory for rendering operations. This memory corruption can be leveraged to overwrite critical program execution pointers or return addresses, effectively allowing attackers to redirect program flow and execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability is classified as user-assisted because it requires the user to open or interact with the malicious PICT file, but once triggered, the exploitation can occur without further user interaction during the processing phase.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise and individual users who rely on QuickTime for media playback across various platforms. The attack surface is extensive as PICT files can be embedded in various contexts including email attachments, web content, and file sharing systems. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors. According to ATT&CK framework category T1059, this vulnerability enables code execution capabilities that can be leveraged for privilege escalation and lateral movement within networks. Organizations using older QuickTime versions face substantial risk exposure, particularly in environments where users have limited security awareness or where automated systems process untrusted media content from external sources.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate upgrading to Apple QuickTime version 7.0.3 or later, which includes proper bounds checking and memory management improvements to prevent the buffer overflow condition. System administrators should also implement restrictive file handling policies that prevent automatic execution of potentially malicious media files, particularly those received through email or downloaded from untrusted sources. Network-based mitigations should include content filtering and sandboxing of media file processing to isolate potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening untrusted media files and the importance of keeping software updated. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual file processing patterns or attempts to access vulnerable QuickTime components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in multimedia processing libraries, aligning with security best practices outlined in ISO/IEC 27001 and NIST SP 800-128 standards for software security engineering and vulnerability management.