CVE-2010-3789 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
QuickTime in Apple Mac OS X 10.6.x before 10.6.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) via a crafted AVI file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3789 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Apple's QuickTime media framework affecting Mac OS X 10.6.x systems prior to version 10.6.5. This vulnerability resides in the AVI file parsing functionality where the QuickTime component fails to properly validate input data structures, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit memory handling weaknesses. The flaw specifically manifests when the QuickTime player processes specially crafted AVI files that contain malformed or oversized data fields, leading to buffer overflows or heap corruption during media decoding operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer overflow condition within the media processing pipeline where insufficient bounds checking occurs during AVI file header and frame data parsing. When a malicious AVI file is opened or previewed by QuickTime, the application's memory management routines fail to properly handle oversized or malformed data structures, resulting in memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code or trigger application crashes. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, though it manifests in heap memory corruption typical of modern media processing exploits. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires user interaction through opening or previewing the malicious file, making it a prime example of a user-initiated attack vector.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-3789 extends beyond simple denial of service to encompass full system compromise potential, as the memory corruption allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user. This capability enables malicious actors to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. The vulnerability affects a broad user base since QuickTime was a standard component of Mac OS X, and AVI files were commonly encountered through email attachments, web downloads, or shared media files. Attackers could craft AVI files that would automatically trigger the vulnerability when opened by any application that utilizes QuickTime's media processing capabilities, making this a particularly dangerous exploit in the context of social engineering attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3789 primarily involve applying the official security patch released by Apple as part of Mac OS X 10.6.5 update, which includes enhanced input validation and memory management routines within the QuickTime component. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly, as the vulnerability was widely known and actively exploited in the wild. Additional protective measures include disabling QuickTime plugin support in web browsers, implementing strict file type filtering for email attachments, and educating users about the dangers of opening untrusted media files. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving social engineering and privilege escalation, as attackers leverage user interaction to deliver malicious payloads through media files while exploiting the application's memory handling flaws to achieve code execution. Network administrators should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file transfer patterns that might indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability.