CVE-2010-3802 in QuickTime
Summary
by MITRE
Integer signedness error in Apple QuickTime before 7.6.9 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) via a crafted panorama atom in a QuickTime Virtual Reality (QTVR) movie file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3802 represents a critical integer signedness error within Apple QuickTime software versions prior to 7.6.9, specifically affecting the handling of panorama atoms within QuickTime Virtual Reality movie files. This flaw resides in the parsing logic of QTVR movie files where the application fails to properly validate the signedness of integer values when processing the panorama atom structure. The vulnerability manifests when a maliciously crafted panorama atom is embedded within a QTVR movie file, triggering a condition where signed and unsigned integer operations become misaligned, leading to unpredictable memory behavior. The technical nature of this flaw aligns with CWE-190, which describes integer overflow and signedness errors, and more specifically with CWE-129, concerning improper validation of array indices or buffer bounds. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by constructing a malicious QTVR movie file containing a specially crafted panorama atom that, when processed by the vulnerable QuickTime player, causes memory corruption through improper integer arithmetic operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-3802 extends beyond simple application crashes to encompass full arbitrary code execution capabilities, making it a severe threat vector for remote attackers. When a user opens a maliciously crafted QTVR movie file, the vulnerable QuickTime player attempts to parse the panorama atom and performs calculations using improperly signed integers, resulting in memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute malicious code with the privileges of the running application. The vulnerability can also cause denial of service conditions through application crashes, effectively disrupting legitimate user activities. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting software vulnerabilities for code execution, and T1059, concerning command and scripting interpreter usage. The attack surface is particularly broad as QTVR files could be delivered through various vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites, making the exploitation potential widespread across different user environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3802 require immediate patching of affected QuickTime versions to 7.6.9 or later, which addresses the integer signedness error through proper validation of panorama atom parameters and implementation of robust integer overflow protection mechanisms. System administrators should implement network-based security controls such as content filtering and sandboxing of QuickTime file processing to reduce attack surface exposure. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and integer handling in multimedia processing libraries, as highlighted by industry best practices in secure coding standards. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of QuickTime players outside of controlled environments and deploy endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block suspicious QTVR file processing activities. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening untrusted multimedia files and the importance of keeping software updated to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched versions to ensure that the fix does not introduce regressions in legitimate QTVR file processing functionality while maintaining the security improvements necessary to prevent memory corruption attacks.