CVE-2011-0130 in iTunes
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit, as used in Apple iTunes before 10.2 on Windows, allows man-in-the-middle attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) via vectors related to iTunes Store browsing, a different vulnerability than other CVEs listed in APPLE-SA-2011-03-02-1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0130 represents a critical security flaw in WebKit engine implementation within Apple iTunes version 10.1 and earlier on Windows platforms. This vulnerability specifically targets the iTunes Store browsing functionality and demonstrates how web rendering components can be exploited to compromise system integrity. The flaw exists within the WebKit rendering engine that Apple integrated into iTunes for Windows, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the application's behavior through crafted web content or network interference.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the WebKit component responsible for processing iTunes Store content. When users navigate through the iTunes Store interface on affected versions of iTunes, the application's WebKit engine processes web-based content that may contain malicious code or be manipulated during transmission. This processing flaw leads to memory corruption conditions that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the running iTunes process. The vulnerability is classified as a memory corruption issue that can result in either remote code execution or denial of service conditions, making it particularly dangerous for end users who regularly access the iTunes Store.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-0130 extends beyond simple application instability, as it creates a persistent security risk for Windows users of affected iTunes versions. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can perform man-in-the-middle attacks by intercepting network traffic between the iTunes client and Apple's servers, potentially injecting malicious content that triggers the memory corruption. This exploitation capability allows adversaries to gain unauthorized code execution privileges, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions, both of which are common in memory corruption vulnerabilities. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, and T1211 for exploitation for defense evasion, as attackers can leverage the compromised iTunes process to maintain persistence.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0130 require immediate patch deployment through Apple's official software update mechanisms, as the vulnerability was addressed in iTunes version 10.2 released as part of APPLE-SA-2011-03-02-1. Users should disable iTunes Store browsing functionality until the update is applied, and network administrators should implement traffic monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of keeping third-party applications updated, particularly those incorporating web rendering engines, as these components often represent attack surfaces that require continuous security maintenance. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and traffic filtering to reduce the risk of man-in-the-middle attacks that could exploit this vulnerability, while monitoring for unusual iTunes process behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts.