CVE-2009-0185 in QuickTime
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in Apple QuickTime before 7.6.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via crafted MS ADPCM encoded audio data in an AVI movie file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0185 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in Apple QuickTime software versions prior to 7.6.2. This flaw specifically manifests when processing MS ADPCM encoded audio data embedded within AVI movie files, creating a remote code execution vector that adversaries can leverage to compromise systems. The vulnerability resides in the improper handling of audio data structures during the decoding process, where insufficient bounds checking allows maliciously crafted audio payloads to overwrite adjacent memory regions in the heap. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow, which is classified as a severe memory corruption flaw that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The attack vector requires remote delivery through malicious AVI files containing specially crafted MS ADPCM audio streams, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently open multimedia content from untrusted sources. The vulnerability impacts a broad range of Apple QuickTime versions and affects systems running macOS and Windows platforms where QuickTime is installed, creating widespread exposure across enterprise and consumer environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when QuickTime processes AVI files containing MS ADPCM encoded audio data that exceeds the allocated buffer size. During the decoding process, the application fails to validate the length of the audio data before copying it into a fixed-size heap buffer, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption can result in application crashes or more critically, allow attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The heap-based nature of this overflow means that the attacker can potentially overwrite function pointers, return addresses, or other critical program data structures, enabling sophisticated exploitation techniques such as return-oriented programming or direct code injection. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the widespread use of QuickTime across various operating systems and applications, as many software packages rely on QuickTime for multimedia playback functionality. Security researchers have mapped this vulnerability to ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves the exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain execution privileges, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage for code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-0185 extends beyond simple application crashes, as it represents a significant threat to enterprise security infrastructure and user data integrity. Organizations that have not updated their QuickTime installations remain vulnerable to remote exploitation, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access to systems, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malware payloads. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can compromise systems through email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites without requiring physical access or user interaction beyond opening the malicious media file. This makes it particularly dangerous in corporate environments where users may inadvertently open compromised files while browsing the internet or receiving email communications. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Security professionals must consider this vulnerability as part of broader threat modeling exercises, particularly in environments where multimedia content is frequently accessed or where QuickTime is used as a core component of multimedia applications. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date multimedia frameworks and plugins, as QuickTime's widespread adoption across multiple platforms makes it an attractive target for attackers seeking to maximize their exploitation impact. Organizations should implement network segmentation, content filtering, and regular security updates to mitigate the risk posed by this and similar vulnerabilities, as the exploitation of such flaws can result in significant financial and operational damage.