CVE-2010-0528 in QuickTime
Summary
by MITRE
Apple QuickTime before 7.6.6 on Windows allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) via crafted color tables in a movie file, related to malformed MediaVideo data, a sample description atom (STSD), and a crafted length value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2026
Apple QuickTime versions prior to 7.6.6 on Windows platforms contained a critical memory corruption vulnerability that enabled remote code execution and denial of service attacks through malformed media data processing. The vulnerability specifically manifested when the QuickTime player encountered crafted color tables within movie files, particularly in conjunction with malformed MediaVideo data structures and sample description atoms. This flaw occurred during the parsing of the STSD atom which contains sample description information for media streams, where an attacker could manipulate the crafted length value to trigger buffer overflow conditions. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory boundary checking within the QuickTime media processing engine, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious data. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and CWE-787, out-of-bounds write, as the application fails to properly validate the length parameters before allocating memory for color table processing. The attack vector requires a user to open a specially crafted movie file, making it a classic sandbox escape vulnerability that leverages user interaction to deliver malicious payloads. When exploited, the vulnerability could lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected user, or cause application crashes that result in denial of service conditions. The memory corruption occurs during the parsing of video sample descriptions where the application does not adequately validate the length field within the STSD atom structure, allowing attackers to specify oversized values that exceed allocated buffer boundaries. This vulnerability represents a significant security risk in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently open malicious media files, particularly through email attachments or web downloads. The flaw demonstrates poor defensive programming practices and inadequate bounds checking mechanisms that are fundamental requirements for secure software development. Organizations running affected QuickTime versions should immediately implement patch management procedures to upgrade to version 7.6.6 or later, which includes proper input validation and memory boundary checks. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of sandboxing media processing components and implementing strict input validation for all external media data. From an operational security perspective, this vulnerability can be classified under ATT&CK technique T1203, Exploitation for Client Execution, as it exploits a client-side application vulnerability to execute arbitrary code. Network defenders should monitor for suspicious file downloads and implement application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of vulnerable QuickTime versions. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation as it represents a broader class of media processing vulnerabilities that affect multimedia frameworks across different platforms and operating systems. Proper security awareness training for end users remains critical in preventing successful exploitation of such vulnerabilities, as user interaction remains a necessary component for successful attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and endpoint protection measures to reduce the attack surface and limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs. The remediation process involves not only patching the affected software but also conducting thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially vulnerable media processing components within the enterprise environment.