CVE-2011-0146 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-2011-0146 represents a critical security flaw in Apple iTunes version 10.1 and earlier on Windows platforms, specifically within the WebKit rendering engine component that handles iTunes Store browsing functionality. This vulnerability manifests as a memory corruption issue that can be exploited by remote attackers positioned in man-in-the-middle attacks, creating a significant risk for users who access the iTunes Store through potentially compromised network connections. The flaw is particularly concerning because it operates at the core rendering layer of the application, where web content is processed and displayed, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to gain unauthorized system control or disrupt service availability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within the WebKit engine's processing of web content from the iTunes Store. When users browse the iTunes Store through iTunes on Windows, the application renders web pages containing various media elements, advertisements, and interactive components. The flaw occurs during the parsing and execution of certain malformed or specially crafted web content that triggers buffer overflows or memory corruption conditions. 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. The memory corruption can result in unpredictable behavior including application crashes, heap corruption, or potentially arbitrary code execution if attackers can control the memory layout and overwrite critical program structures.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-0146 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the memory corruption can be leveraged to achieve more sophisticated attacks. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially execute malicious code with the privileges of the iTunes process, which typically runs with elevated permissions on Windows systems. This creates a pathway for privilege escalation attacks where malicious actors might gain access to sensitive user data, install malware, or establish persistent backdoors on affected systems. The vulnerability's exploitation is particularly dangerous because it occurs during normal user activities such as browsing the iTunes Store, making detection difficult and user awareness minimal. The attack vector is consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers scripting languages and command-line interfaces, as the vulnerability could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands through the compromised iTunes process.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate software updates as provided by Apple in iTunes version 10.2 and subsequent releases. Users should ensure their iTunes installations are updated to the latest versions that contain patches addressing the memory corruption issues in the WebKit engine. Network administrators should implement additional security measures including SSL certificate validation, network monitoring for suspicious traffic patterns, and consideration of network segmentation to limit potential attack scope. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content filtering solutions that can detect and block malicious content before it reaches vulnerable iTunes installations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of keeping all software components updated, particularly those containing web rendering engines, and demonstrates how seemingly benign browsing activities can expose systems to sophisticated attacks through memory corruption vulnerabilities.