CVE-2010-0514 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in QuickTime in Apple Mac OS X before 10.6.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted movie file with H.261 encoding.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-0514 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow within Apple's QuickTime media framework affecting Mac OS X versions prior to 10.6.3. This flaw resides in the handling of H.261 encoded movie files, which are commonly used in video streaming and multimedia applications. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and bounds checking within the QuickTime component responsible for processing video codecs, specifically when parsing malformed H.261 encoded data structures. The heap-based nature of this overflow indicates that the vulnerable code allocates memory on the heap and subsequently writes beyond allocated buffer boundaries, creating opportunities for memory corruption that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts a specially designed movie file containing malformed H.261 encoding parameters that trigger the buffer overflow during playback or parsing operations. When the vulnerable QuickTime component processes such a crafted file, the insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent heap memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or application crash. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which is categorized as a fundamental memory safety issue where data written to heap memory exceeds the allocated buffer size. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can deliver malicious content through various network channels without requiring local system access, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may unknowingly open compromised media files.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-0514 extends beyond simple application instability to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized code execution. When exploited successfully, the buffer overflow can allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, typically resulting in complete system compromise if the application runs with elevated privileges. The vulnerability affects not only end-user systems but also server environments where QuickTime might be used for media processing or streaming services. Organizations running affected Mac OS X versions face significant risk of data breaches, system infiltration, and persistent threats as the exploitation can lead to backdoor installation and ongoing unauthorized access. The denial of service aspect of this vulnerability can also be leveraged as a weapon in distributed denial of service attacks against targeted systems or services that rely on QuickTime functionality.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-0514 should prioritize immediate system updates to Mac OS X 10.6.3 or later versions where Apple has patched the vulnerability through proper bounds checking and memory management improvements. System administrators should implement network-based controls to restrict access to potentially malicious media files and consider deploying content filtering solutions that can identify and block suspicious QuickTime files. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected QuickTime versions and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. The mitigation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, emphasizing the need for both preventive measures and defensive controls. Regular security monitoring should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts, and incident response procedures should be updated to address potential compromise scenarios resulting from this vulnerability.