CVE-2006-4386 in QuickTime
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in Apple QuickTime before 7.1.3 allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted H.264 movie, a different issue than CVE-2006-4381.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-4386 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within Apple QuickTime media player software versions prior to 7.1.3. This security weakness specifically affects the handling of H.264 video streams and demonstrates how multimedia processing libraries can become attack vectors for remote code execution. The vulnerability operates through a user-assisted remote attack scenario where an attacker must convince a victim to open a specially crafted H.264 movie file, making it a sophisticated social engineering component within the attack chain. This issue is distinct from CVE-2006-4381, indicating that multiple vulnerabilities exist within the same software component, each requiring separate remediation approaches.
The technical flaw manifests as an integer overflow condition during the processing of H.264 video frames within the QuickTime framework. When the media player encounters a malformed H.264 movie file, the integer overflow occurs in memory allocation or buffer handling routines, leading to unpredictable behavior in the application's memory management. This overflow condition creates a situation where the application attempts to allocate memory blocks of incorrect sizes, potentially resulting in memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite critical program execution data. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-190 category of Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is a well-documented class of flaws that has been consistently identified as a high-risk issue in software security assessments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation to encompass significant risks for end users and organizations relying on QuickTime for media playback. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems with the privileges of the user running the QuickTime player. This capability transforms a simple media playback scenario into a potential vector for full system compromise, potentially allowing attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to affected systems. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can deliver malicious payloads through various channels including email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently access external content.
Organizations and users must implement immediate mitigation strategies to protect against this vulnerability, including updating to Apple QuickTime version 7.1.3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the integer overflow condition. System administrators should also consider implementing network-based protections such as content filtering and email scanning to prevent users from inadvertently accessing malicious H.264 files. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as successful exploitation would likely involve executing malicious code within the user's session context. Additionally, security monitoring should focus on identifying unusual QuickTime process behavior or memory allocation patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as this vulnerability represents a classic example of how multimedia applications can become attack surfaces for privilege escalation and remote code execution.