CVE-2011-0140 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-2011-0140 represents a critical security flaw within Apple iTunes version 10.1 and earlier on Windows platforms. This issue resides within the WebKit rendering engine component that iTunes employs for displaying content from the iTunes Store, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries could exploit to compromise system integrity. The vulnerability specifically manifests during iTunes Store browsing operations, where the application's handling of web content introduces potential pathways for malicious actors to execute unauthorized code or disrupt normal application functionality.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within the WebKit engine when processing content from the iTunes Store. Attackers can leverage this weakness through man-in-the-middle positioning to inject malicious content or manipulate the web browsing experience in ways that trigger memory corruption errors. The flaw operates by exploiting how the application manages memory allocation and deallocation when rendering web-based content, potentially leading to buffer overflows or other memory-related issues that can be leveraged for code execution. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations, both of which are common in memory corruption vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-0140 extends beyond simple application instability, as it provides adversaries with potential pathways for complete system compromise. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability can enable attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the iTunes process, potentially leading to full system compromise depending on the user's privileges. The memory corruption aspects of this flaw can also result in denial of service conditions that prevent legitimate users from accessing iTunes Store services, creating both availability and confidentiality risks. Additionally, the vulnerability's nature suggests it could be used to escalate privileges or establish persistent access mechanisms within compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate software updates and system hardening measures. Apple addressed this issue through the release of iTunes version 10.2, which included patches to the WebKit engine that resolved the memory handling issues. Organizations should prioritize applying this update across all affected Windows systems and monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts. Network-level protections such as deep packet inspection and content filtering can help detect and block malicious traffic attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Security professionals should also implement monitoring for unusual iTunes process behavior or memory allocation patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and execution through web-based attacks, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where iTunes might be used for software distribution or other sensitive operations.