CVE-2006-1460 in QuickTime
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in Apple QuickTime before 7.1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted QuickTime movie (.MOV), as demonstrated via a large size for a udta Atom.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1460 represents a critical buffer overflow issue affecting Apple QuickTime media player versions prior to 7.1. This flaw resides in the handling of QuickTime movie files with specific atom structures, particularly the udta atom which contains user data. The vulnerability manifests when the QuickTime player processes a maliciously crafted .MOV file that contains an oversized udta atom, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by remote attackers. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and bounds checking within the QuickTime parsing routines, creating a pathway for arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, where the attacker can overwrite adjacent memory locations and potentially control the execution flow of the application. The attack vector requires remote delivery of a malicious QuickTime movie file, making it particularly dangerous in web-based environments where users might unknowingly download and open infected media content. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1203, specifically targeting application security flaws to gain unauthorized code execution. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to potentially allow full system compromise, as the QuickTime player runs with the privileges of the user who opens the malicious file. The buffer overflow occurs when the parser fails to properly validate the size field of the udta atom, allowing an attacker to specify a size that exceeds the allocated buffer space, leading to memory corruption and potential code injection. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning because QuickTime was widely distributed and used across multiple platforms, amplifying the potential attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where input validation is insufficient to prevent buffer overflows, making it a classic example of insecure coding practices that violate secure coding standards. The exploitation of this vulnerability typically involves crafting a malicious .MOV file with an oversized udta atom that triggers the buffer overflow when the media player attempts to parse the file structure. The successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, as the attacker gains the ability to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the QuickTime process, which often runs with elevated permissions. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper memory management and input validation in multimedia processing libraries, as similar patterns could exist in other media parsers and decoders. The remediation for this vulnerability required Apple to implement proper bounds checking and size validation for all atom structures within QuickTime movie files, ensuring that parsed data cannot exceed allocated buffer boundaries. The incident underscored the need for robust input validation mechanisms in multimedia applications and led to improved security practices in media processing libraries. Organizations should have implemented immediate patches and updates to protect against this vulnerability, as the attack surface was extensive due to QuickTime's widespread adoption across various operating systems and applications. The vulnerability also demonstrated the critical importance of keeping multimedia applications updated, as many systems remained vulnerable for extended periods due to delayed patch deployment. Security professionals should have monitored for this vulnerability through vulnerability scanning tools and implemented network-based protections to prevent delivery of malicious QuickTime content. The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, where adversaries use application-specific vulnerabilities to execute malicious code, and T1203, which targets application security flaws for privilege escalation. This vulnerability serves as a historical example of how multimedia processing libraries can become attack vectors, emphasizing the need for secure coding practices and regular security assessments of media handling components. The remediation efforts focused on implementing proper buffer size validation and ensuring that all input parsing operations included adequate bounds checking to prevent similar issues in future implementations.