CVE-2009-2202 in QuickTime
Summary
by MITRE
Apple QuickTime before 7.6.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) via a crafted H.264 movie file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2021
Apple QuickTime versions prior to 7.6.4 contained a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enabled remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or induce denial of service conditions through maliciously crafted H.264 movie files. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the video decoding component responsible for processing H.264 encoded media content. The flaw manifests when the QuickTime player attempts to parse malformed H.264 video streams, leading to improper memory handling that can result in buffer overflows, heap corruption, or stack corruption depending on the specific attack vector employed by the malicious actor. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the inherent trust users place in multimedia content, making it particularly dangerous in environments where automatic media playback occurs. This issue represents a classic example of a buffer overflow vulnerability that can be exploited through media file manipulation, aligning with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions that occur when data is written beyond the bounds of a fixed-length buffer. The attack surface extends beyond simple code execution to include potential system compromise through privilege escalation or exploitation of additional vulnerabilities within the QuickTime framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple attack vectors and threat scenarios. Remote attackers can deliver malicious H.264 files through various channels including email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites, exploiting the automatic playback features of QuickTime. When users open these crafted files, the memory corruption leads to application crashes or complete system instability, creating denial of service conditions that can disrupt business operations. More critically, the memory corruption patterns can be manipulated to achieve arbitrary code execution, potentially allowing attackers to gain control of the affected system. The vulnerability affects both desktop and server environments where QuickTime is installed, making it particularly concerning for enterprise networks. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of remote services, and demonstrates how multimedia applications can serve as attack vectors for broader system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no user interaction beyond opening the malicious file, making it a prime candidate for zero-day exploits in targeted attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability focus on immediate remediation through software updates and operational controls. The primary and most effective solution involves upgrading to QuickTime 7.6.4 or later versions where Apple has implemented proper input validation and memory management controls to prevent the buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should implement automated patch management systems to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Network-based mitigations include content filtering solutions that can identify and block suspicious H.264 files, though these approaches are less reliable due to the polymorphic nature of such attacks. Security administrators should disable automatic media playback in web browsers and email clients where possible, reducing the attack surface. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized QuickTime versions, conducting regular vulnerability assessments of multimedia handling components, and establishing incident response procedures specifically for multimedia-based attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current multimedia software versions and the critical need for regular security assessments of media handling components within enterprise environments, particularly those that process untrusted content from external sources.