CVE-2011-0164 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 • 03/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0164 represents a critical security flaw in Apple iTunes version 10.1 and earlier on Windows platforms. This issue resides within the WebKit rendering engine component that Apple utilizes for displaying web content within its iTunes application, particularly during iTunes Store browsing activities. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management practices within the WebKit implementation, creating exploitable conditions that could be leveraged by remote attackers positioned in man-in-the-middle attack scenarios.
The technical flaw manifests when iTunes processes web content from the iTunes Store, specifically during the parsing and rendering of dynamically loaded content. Attackers can craft malicious web content or intercept network traffic to inject malformed data that triggers memory corruption within the WebKit engine. This memory corruption occurs due to improper bounds checking and buffer overflow conditions when handling user-supplied input from web pages or network responses. The vulnerability is classified as a memory corruption issue that can result in arbitrary code execution or application crashes, making it particularly dangerous as it allows for both persistent exploitation and denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability, as it creates a pathway for sophisticated attacks that could compromise user systems. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the iTunes process, potentially leading to full system compromise. The man-in-the-middle attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal network access and can be executed against users who are browsing the iTunes Store, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to exploit the widespread use of iTunes on Windows systems. This vulnerability also demonstrates the risks associated with integrating complex web rendering engines into desktop applications, where the security boundaries between native code and web content become blurred.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0164 focus primarily on updating to Apple iTunes version 10.2 or later, which includes patches addressing the memory corruption issues within the WebKit implementation. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and consider restricting access to iTunes Store browsing when possible. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers exploiting vulnerabilities in web browsers and applications. Security professionals should also consider implementing network segmentation and application whitelisting policies to limit the attack surface and reduce the potential impact of such vulnerabilities in enterprise environments.