CVE-2010-3795 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 GIF image data, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted GIF file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3795 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 exists in the GIF image processing component where the software fails to properly initialize memory locations before accessing them during image decompression operations. The vulnerability manifests when QuickTime encounters specially crafted GIF files that trigger improper memory handling during the decoding process, creating conditions that can be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized system control or disrupt service availability.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-457, which describes the use of uninitialized variables in software systems. When QuickTime processes GIF images, it allocates memory buffers for image data but fails to properly initialize these memory regions before reading from them. This uninitialized memory may contain residual data from previous operations, creating unpredictable behavior patterns that can be manipulated by attackers. The flaw specifically occurs during the decompression phase of GIF processing where the software attempts to access memory locations that have not been properly cleared or initialized, leading to potential information disclosure or code execution opportunities.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to Mac OS X users who may encounter malicious GIF files through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the target system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently download compromised content. Successful exploitation can result in arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected user, potentially leading to full system compromise, or cause denial of service conditions that disrupt normal business operations. The vulnerability affects the core QuickTime framework, which is integrated into many applications and services, amplifying its potential impact across the system.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond simple file execution scenarios as QuickTime's integration into various Mac OS X applications means that any application that processes GIF images could potentially be exploited. This includes web browsers, email clients, and multimedia applications that leverage QuickTime's image processing capabilities. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory initialization practices in multimedia processing libraries, as similar issues have been documented in other media frameworks and have been addressed through comprehensive input validation and memory management controls. Organizations should prioritize immediate patch deployment for affected systems and implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific memory handling flaw.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of Apple's security update 2010-005 which addresses the uninitialized memory access issue in QuickTime. System administrators should also implement restrictive file type handling policies, particularly for image files, and consider deploying application whitelisting solutions to prevent execution of unauthorized QuickTime processes. Network security controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems should be configured to block suspicious GIF file downloads and to monitor for patterns consistent with exploitation attempts. Additionally, user education regarding safe browsing practices and the dangers of downloading content from untrusted sources remains crucial in reducing the risk of successful exploitation. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper memory management in multimedia processing components and the potential for seemingly benign file format handling to create significant security risks when memory safety practices are not properly implemented.