CVE-2006-1459 in QuickTime
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in Apple QuickTime before 7.1 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service or execute arbitrary code via a crafted QuickTime movie (.MOV).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1459 represents a critical security flaw within Apple QuickTime media player software versions prior to 7.1. This issue stems from multiple integer overflow conditions that occur during the processing of specially crafted QuickTime movie files with the .MOV extension. The vulnerability exists at the core of QuickTime's media parsing functionality where insufficient input validation leads to predictable buffer overflows when handling malformed movie headers and metadata structures. These integer overflows create exploitable conditions that can be leveraged by remote attackers to either crash the application or potentially execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of integer values within QuickTime's parsing routines for movie files. When the software encounters a crafted .MOV file containing maliciously constructed header values or frame dimensions that exceed the maximum representable integer values, the system experiences integer overflow conditions. This occurs because the application fails to properly validate input parameters before performing arithmetic operations or memory allocations. The overflow conditions typically manifest during the parsing of movie track headers, sample description tables, or other metadata structures where integer values control buffer allocation sizes or iteration counts. Such overflows can result in memory corruption that allows attackers to manipulate program execution flow through stack-based buffer overflows or heap corruption.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-1459 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass potential remote code execution capabilities. Attackers can construct malicious QuickTime movies that, when opened by vulnerable versions of QuickTime, trigger the integer overflow conditions leading to system compromise. The vulnerability affects systems running Apple QuickTime versions earlier than 7.1, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where older versions may still be in use. The attack vector requires no user interaction beyond opening the malicious file, making it a significant threat in phishing campaigns or malicious website delivery scenarios. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how improper input validation can lead to memory corruption vulnerabilities.
The exploitability of this vulnerability places it within the ATT&CK framework under the technique of "Exploitation for Client Execution" where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems. The vulnerability's classification as a remote attack vector means that exploitation can occur without physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous for web-based delivery methods. Security researchers have documented that successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, depending on the execution environment and privilege levels available to the QuickTime process. Organizations using older QuickTime versions face significant risk exposure, as these systems represent a large attack surface for potential exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of keeping media player software updated and implementing proper input validation in multimedia processing applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-1459 primarily focus on immediate software updates and system hardening measures. Apple released QuickTime 7.1 and subsequent versions that address these integer overflow conditions through proper input validation and bounds checking. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected systems to the latest QuickTime versions available from Apple's official sources. Network-based mitigations can include blocking .MOV file extensions at firewalls and proxy servers to prevent automatic download and execution of potentially malicious content. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized QuickTime versions can provide additional defense layers. System administrators should also consider disabling QuickTime support in web browsers and email clients where possible, as these environments represent common attack vectors for delivering malicious .MOV files. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date multimedia software and implementing comprehensive patch management processes to protect against known vulnerabilities.