CVE-2010-3794 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
QuickTime in Apple Mac OS X 10.6.x before 10.6.5 accesses uninitialized memory locations during processing of FlashPix image data, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted FlashPix file.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3794 represents a critical memory safety issue within Apple's QuickTime media framework on Mac OS X 10.6.x systems prior to version 10.6.5. This flaw manifests during the processing of FlashPix image files, which are a specialized image format based on the TIFF specification and designed for high-quality digital photography applications. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices where QuickTime fails to initialize memory locations before accessing them during image parsing operations, creating a predictable security exposure that adversaries can exploit.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-457, which describes the use of uninitialized variables in software systems, and can be categorized under the broader ATT&CK technique T1203 for legitimate program execution. When a maliciously crafted FlashPix file is processed by QuickTime, the application attempts to read from memory locations that have not been properly initialized, leading to undefined behavior. This uninitialized memory access can result in arbitrary code execution when the attacker controls the data that gets loaded into these uninitialized memory regions, or cause a denial of service through application crashes that occur when the memory access patterns trigger system exceptions or segmentation faults.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation scenarios to encompass broader security implications for macOS environments. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected QuickTime process, potentially leading to full system compromise. The remote attack vector means that victims need not interact directly with malicious content, as simply opening or previewing a crafted FlashPix file within a vulnerable QuickTime-enabled application could trigger the exploit. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users might encounter such files through email attachments, web browsing, or file sharing activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3794 should prioritize immediate patch deployment to upgrade to Apple Mac OS X 10.6.5 or later versions where the memory initialization issues have been resolved. Organizations should implement network-based controls to block FlashPix file types from entering their environments, particularly in email gateways and web proxies. Additionally, system administrators should consider disabling QuickTime support for non-essential applications and implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized execution of potentially vulnerable QuickTime components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices and highlights how seemingly benign file format processing can create significant security risks when uninitialized memory access occurs during parsing operations.