CVE-2010-0530 in QuickTime
Summary
by MITRE
Apple QuickTime before 7.6.9 on Windows sets weak permissions for the Apple Computer directory in the profile of a user account, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by reading files in this directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0530 represents a critical privilege escalation and information disclosure weakness within Apple QuickTime software versions prior to 7.6.9 on Windows operating systems. This issue stems from improper access control mechanisms implemented during the installation process, where the Apple Computer directory is created with insufficiently restrictive permissions. The flaw specifically affects the user profile directory structure and exposes sensitive system information to local attackers who might not otherwise have elevated privileges. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in the software installation and permission management protocols that Apple implemented for their QuickTime multimedia framework.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the weak file system permissions assigned to the Apple Computer directory during QuickTime installation. When QuickTime is installed on Windows systems, it creates a dedicated directory structure within the user profile that contains various configuration files, temporary data, and potentially sensitive information. The vulnerability occurs because these directory permissions are set with overly permissive access controls, allowing any local user account to read files within this directory structure. This misconfiguration creates an information disclosure channel where unauthorized access to system-related data, configuration parameters, or potentially sensitive user information can occur. The weakness directly relates to improper privilege management and access control implementation, which aligns with CWE-276, which addresses incorrect permissions for critical resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-0530 extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks within the compromised system. Local attackers who can read files in the Apple Computer directory may obtain sensitive information such as user preferences, system configuration data, or even cached authentication tokens that could facilitate further exploitation. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where multiple users share the same system or where unprivileged accounts exist, as it provides a means for these users to gather intelligence about the system configuration. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor path for information gathering that could aid in planning more targeted attacks, making it a significant concern for security professionals monitoring system integrity.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper access control implementation and the potential for seemingly benign software installations to create security weaknesses. The issue aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1087.001 for account discovery and T1005 for data from local system, as it enables adversaries to collect information about the target system through legitimate software installation artifacts. The vulnerability also reflects poor security hygiene in software deployment practices where default installations fail to properly secure system resources. Organizations should consider this issue as part of broader security assessments, particularly when evaluating legacy software components that may have been installed without proper security configuration. The remediation typically involves updating to QuickTime 7.6.9 or later versions where proper permission settings have been implemented to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive files within the user profile directory structure.