CVE-2007-1008 in iTunes
Summary
by MITRE
Apple iTunes 7.0.2 allows user-assisted remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted XML list of radio stations, which results in memory corruption. NOTE: iTunes retrieves the XML document from a static URL, which requires an attacker to perform DNS spoofing or man-in-the-middle attacks for exploitation.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1008 represents a significant security flaw in Apple iTunes version 7.0.2 that enables remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks through carefully crafted XML content. This vulnerability specifically targets the application's handling of radio station lists retrieved from a static URL, demonstrating a classic buffer overflow scenario that leads to application instability and potential system crashes. The flaw manifests when iTunes processes malformed XML data containing maliciously constructed radio station entries that trigger memory corruption during parsing operations, ultimately causing the application to terminate unexpectedly.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's XML parser failing to properly validate or sanitize input data from external sources. When iTunes accesses the predetermined static URL to fetch radio station listings, it downloads XML content that contains malformed or oversized data structures. The parsing routine does not adequately check array bounds or memory allocation limits, allowing maliciously crafted XML elements to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption typically occurs in the heap or stack memory regions where iTunes stores critical application state information, leading to unpredictable behavior and eventual application termination. The vulnerability operates under CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions as a fundamental flaw in memory management where data written to memory exceeds allocated bounds.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability, as it requires attackers to execute sophisticated network-level attacks to successfully exploit the flaw. Attackers must first establish a man-in-the-middle position or perform DNS spoofing to redirect iTunes traffic from legitimate servers to maliciously controlled endpoints. This prerequisite significantly increases the attack surface complexity, as it requires network-level capabilities and often involves advanced network reconnaissance. The vulnerability affects users who have iTunes configured to automatically download radio station lists or who manually access the affected URL, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently update their media libraries. The denial of service impact can be severe for end users who rely on iTunes for media management, potentially disrupting their ability to access music libraries or update radio station preferences.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require multiple layers of defense to protect against both the exploitation techniques and the underlying memory corruption. Organizations should implement network-level controls such as DNS cache poisoning prevention measures and ensure secure communication channels through proper certificate validation. Users should be educated about the risks of accessing untrusted URLs and the importance of keeping iTunes updated to versions that address this vulnerability. Apple's subsequent releases included improved XML parsing routines with proper bounds checking and memory allocation validation, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes the use of malicious content to exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities. System administrators should also consider network segmentation to prevent unauthorized access to the specific static URL used by iTunes for radio station updates, reducing the attack surface and limiting potential exploitation opportunities. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of proper input validation in client-side applications and the need for robust memory management practices in software development.