CVE-2006-1465 in QuickTime
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Apple QuickTime before 7.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted QuickTime AVI video format file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1465 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Apple QuickTime media player software prior to version 7.1. This vulnerability specifically affects the handling of QuickTime AVI video format files, creating a remote code execution vector that could be exploited by malicious actors. The flaw exists in the software's parsing mechanism for AVI container format files, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to craft specially malformed video files that trigger memory corruption during playback. The vulnerability manifests when the QuickTime player attempts to process an oversized or malformed data structure within the AVI file header or metadata sections, leading to stack or heap buffer overflows that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution.
From a technical perspective, this buffer overflow vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient checks are performed on the size of data being copied into fixed-size buffers. The flaw operates through the standard exploitation techniques of buffer overflow attacks, where crafted input data exceeds the allocated buffer space and overwrites adjacent memory locations including return addresses or function pointers. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables remote code execution without requiring user interaction beyond opening the malicious file, making it a prime target for drive-by download attacks and automated exploitation campaigns. Attackers can craft AVI files with malicious payloads that, when processed by vulnerable QuickTime versions, will overwrite critical memory structures and redirect execution flow to malicious code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of systems running affected QuickTime versions. Organizations relying on QuickTime for media playback across desktop and server environments face significant risk exposure, particularly in enterprise settings where users may encounter malicious AVI files through email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Apple operating systems including Mac OS X versions prior to 10.4.7, making it particularly concerning for organizations with diverse computing environments. Security researchers have noted that the vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate memory management within the QuickTime media framework, which could lead to additional security implications beyond the immediate code execution capability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-1465 primarily focus on immediate software updates and operational security measures. The most effective defense involves upgrading to Apple QuickTime version 7.1 or later, which includes proper bounds checking and memory allocation safeguards that prevent the buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all systems running QuickTime are updated promptly. Network-level protections such as content filtering and web application firewalls can help prevent users from accessing malicious AVI files, though these measures are less effective against targeted attacks. Security teams should also consider implementing runtime protections and application whitelisting policies to restrict QuickTime execution to trusted environments. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and conducting regular security assessments of media handling components, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter execution, which can be facilitated through buffer overflow exploitation. System administrators should monitor for suspicious network traffic patterns and file access behaviors that might indicate exploitation attempts, while also maintaining updated threat intelligence feeds to identify emerging attack patterns targeting this specific vulnerability.