CVE-2007-3750 in QuickTime
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in Apple QuickTime before 7.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted Sample Table Sample Descriptor (STSD) atoms in a movie file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3750 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow within Apple QuickTime media player software versions prior to 7.3. This flaw resides in the parsing mechanism of Sample Table Sample Descriptor atoms within movie files, specifically affecting how the application processes structured data elements that define audio and video sample properties. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations in the heap allocation space. The attack vector requires remote exploitation through maliciously crafted movie files that contain specially constructed STSD atoms, making this a classic example of a file format parsing vulnerability that can be delivered via web downloads or email attachments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when QuickTime processes the STSD atom structure, which contains sample description information for media samples within a movie file. During parsing operations, the application fails to validate the size parameters of the atom data structure, allowing an attacker to craft a malformed atom with oversized data fields. When the parser attempts to copy this data into a pre-allocated heap buffer, the excessive data overflows the allocated memory boundaries, potentially overwriting critical program structures, return addresses, or function pointers. This overflow condition creates an opportunity for arbitrary code execution, as attackers can manipulate the overwritten memory locations to redirect program execution flow. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges or user interaction beyond opening the malicious file, making it particularly dangerous in automated attack scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-3750 extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a significant threat to enterprise and individual security postures. The vulnerability affects a widely deployed media player application that was commonly used for multimedia content delivery across multiple platforms including windows and macos operating systems. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability could potentially gain complete control over affected systems, enabling them to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors. The remote nature of the attack vector means that organizations could be compromised simply by users viewing maliciously crafted media content, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors. The exploitability characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1203, Exploitation for Client Execution, and T1059, Command and Scripting Interpreter, as the vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands through the compromised media player application.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3750 focus on immediate remediation through software updates and operational security measures. The most effective solution involves upgrading to Apple QuickTime 7.3 or later versions, which include proper bounds checking and memory validation for STSD atom parsing. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies for media content, particularly when processing files from untrusted sources or external networks. Network-level protections such as content filtering systems and email security appliances can help prevent the delivery of malicious media files to end users. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening media files from unknown sources and the importance of keeping software up to date. System hardening measures including heap protection mechanisms, stack canaries, and address space layout randomization can provide additional defense-in-depth layers against exploitation attempts, though these protections may not be sufficient against this specific vulnerability without proper software patching.