CVE-2010-0518 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
QuickTime in Apple Mac OS X before 10.6.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) via a crafted movie file with Sorenson encoding.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0518 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Apple's QuickTime media framework affecting Mac OS X versions prior to 10.6.3. This vulnerability specifically targets the Sorenson encoding handling mechanism within QuickTime players, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit memory management issues through maliciously crafted movie files. The flaw operates at the intersection of multimedia processing and memory safety, where improper input validation leads to unpredictable memory corruption patterns that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking and memory management within the Sorenson video codec processing pipeline. When QuickTime encounters a specially crafted movie file containing malformed Sorenson encoded data, the player's handling routine fails to properly validate the input parameters, leading to buffer overflows or heap corruption. This memory corruption directly impacts the application's execution flow and can be manipulated by attackers to overwrite critical memory locations or inject malicious code into the running process. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations, both of which are fundamental memory safety issues commonly exploited in application-level attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it provides attackers with the capability to achieve arbitrary code execution within the context of the QuickTime application. This represents a significant escalation from typical denial of service conditions, as attackers can potentially gain complete control over the affected system. The remote exploitation nature means that users need only to open a maliciously crafted movie file to be compromised, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or malicious file distribution scenarios. The vulnerability affects the core media processing capabilities of the operating system, potentially impacting users who frequently access multimedia content through web browsers, email clients, or other applications that utilize QuickTime for media playback.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. The attack chain typically begins with social engineering to deliver the malicious movie file, followed by automatic execution when the file is opened, and concludes with privilege escalation or lateral movement through the compromised system. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability affects a widely used media framework, making it a prime target for nation-state actors and cybercriminal organizations seeking to exploit the broad attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and memory safety in multimedia processing components, as these systems often handle untrusted data from various sources without adequate sanitization measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-0518 primarily focus on immediate system updates and operational security measures. Apple's release of Mac OS X 10.6.3 addressed this vulnerability through enhanced input validation and memory management within the QuickTime framework. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management policies ensuring all systems receive timely security updates. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing content filtering measures to prevent automatic execution of multimedia files from untrusted sources, and users should exercise caution when opening email attachments or downloading media files from unknown origins. The vulnerability underscores the necessity of maintaining updated security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include application whitelisting, sandboxing, and network-based intrusion detection systems to prevent exploitation attempts.