CVE-2008-4116 in QuickTime
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Apple QuickTime 7.5.5 and iTunes 8.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (browser crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a long type attribute in a quicktime tag (1) on a web page or embedded in a (2) .mp4 or (3) .mov file, possibly related to the Check_stack_cookie function and an off-by-one error that leads to a heap-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4116 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in Apple QuickTime 7.5.5 and iTunes 8.0 software components that exposes users to potential remote code execution and denial of service attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of quicktime tags within web pages and media files, creating a dangerous attack surface that can be exploited through maliciously crafted content. The flaw manifests when processing a long type attribute within a quicktime tag, which can occur in three distinct scenarios: when embedded in web pages as quicktime tag 1, within .mp4 files as quicktime tag 2, or in .mov files as quicktime tag 3. The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a heap-based buffer overflow that occurs due to an off-by-one error in the Check_stack_cookie function, which is a critical component in memory management and security checking mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution on affected systems. When a user visits a malicious webpage or opens a compromised media file, the buffer overflow can corrupt memory structures and potentially allow attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. This represents a significant security risk for users who may unknowingly encounter malicious content while browsing the web or playing media files. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, as simply viewing a webpage or opening a media file can trigger the malicious code execution. The heap-based nature of the overflow means that the attack can corrupt heap memory structures, potentially leading to unpredictable behavior including application crashes, system instability, or complete system compromise depending on the execution context and target environment.
Security researchers have classified this vulnerability under CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and the broader category of heap-based buffer overflows that represent one of the most common and dangerous classes of software vulnerabilities in the industry. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution tactic, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code through compromised client applications. The vulnerability's exploitation pathway demonstrates the classic attack pattern where web-based content is used to deliver malicious payloads to vulnerable applications, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently access untrusted web content or media files from unknown sources. Organizations and individuals must understand that this vulnerability can be leveraged in advanced persistent threat campaigns where attackers use web-based delivery mechanisms to compromise systems, often as part of initial access vectors in multi-stage attack chains. The remediation approach requires immediate patching of affected software versions and implementation of web content filtering measures to prevent exposure to malicious quicktime content. Additionally, security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability and ensure that all media processing applications are kept current with security updates to prevent exploitation attempts.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of proper input validation and memory management in multimedia processing applications. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly benign attributes within media file formats can be weaponized to create serious security threats, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing of media processing components. Organizations should implement layered security approaches that include application whitelisting, network-based filtering, and user education to reduce the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs to identify and remediate similar flaws before they can be exploited by malicious actors in the wild.