CVE-2007-0059 in Quicktime
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-zone scripting vulnerability in Apple Quicktime 3 to 7.1.3 allows remote user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code and list filesystem contents via a QuickTime movie (.MOV) with an HREF Track (HREFTrack) that contains an automatic action tag with a local URI, which is executed in a local zone during preview, as exploited by a MySpace worm.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0059 represents a critical cross-zone scripting flaw in Apple QuickTime versions 3 through 7.1.3 that fundamentally undermines the security boundaries of the application. This vulnerability exploits the trust relationship between the browser and local system resources, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute arbitrary code and enumerate filesystem contents. The flaw specifically resides in how QuickTime handles HREF tracks within movie files, where automatic action tags containing local URIs are processed during preview operations. The attack vector leverages the MySpace worm as a real-world exploitation example, demonstrating how malicious actors could craft specially crafted .MOV files to bypass security restrictions and gain unauthorized access to system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of local URI references within QuickTime's HREF track processing mechanism. When a QuickTime movie file contains an HREF track with automatic action tags pointing to local URIs, the application executes these actions within the local zone context rather than maintaining proper security boundaries. This design flaw allows attackers to embed malicious code within movie files that executes with the privileges of the local user, effectively breaking down the sandboxing mechanisms that should protect against cross-zone attacks. The vulnerability operates under CWE-94, which classifies it as an "Improper Control of Generation of Code" where the application fails to properly control the execution of code generated from external inputs. The attack scenario involves an attacker crafting a malicious QuickTime movie file that, when previewed by an unsuspecting user, triggers automatic actions that execute code locally while maintaining the trust context established by the application's preview functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to enumerate filesystem contents and potentially access sensitive information stored on the victim's system. The local zone execution context allows for privilege escalation and system reconnaissance that can lead to more sophisticated attacks. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through social engineering campaigns, particularly targeting users who frequently interact with multimedia content or social networking platforms like MySpace where the worm was originally deployed. The vulnerability affects not just individual users but also enterprise environments where QuickTime is widely deployed, creating potential for widespread compromise. The attack requires minimal user interaction beyond previewing the malicious file, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may unknowingly encounter compromised content. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript' and T1068 for 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' within the adversary tactics framework, demonstrating how the flaw can be leveraged for both code execution and privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected QuickTime versions, as Apple released security updates addressing the cross-zone scripting issue. Organizations should implement strict file type filtering and content scanning for multimedia files, particularly those from untrusted sources. Network administrators should consider disabling QuickTime plugin execution in web browsers to prevent automatic preview of potentially malicious content. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices, specifically around URI handling and zone management within applications that process multimedia content. Security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of previewing untrusted multimedia files and the potential for privilege escalation attacks. System administrators should monitor for unusual file access patterns and implement file integrity monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of maintaining updated security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that reduce the attack surface available to malicious actors. Organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of QuickTime components to trusted environments only, preventing the automatic execution of malicious code embedded within media files.