CVE-2011-0186 in QuickTime
Summary
by MITRE
QuickTime in Apple Mac OS X before 10.6.7 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) via a crafted JPEG2000 image.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0186 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Apple Mac OS X QuickTime media handling components. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 10.6.7 and demonstrates how multimedia processing libraries can become entry points for remote code execution attacks. The flaw resides in the JPEG2000 image parsing functionality where improper input validation leads to heap-based buffer overflows and memory corruption issues. The vulnerability operates through a carefully crafted malicious JPEG2000 image file that, when processed by QuickTime, triggers the memory corruption conditions that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause application crashes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic buffer overflow pattern where the QuickTime component fails to properly validate the size and structure of JPEG2000 image headers and data segments. When a malformed JPEG2000 image is loaded, the parsing routine does not adequately check array bounds or memory allocation limits, allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption can be leveraged to manipulate program execution flow, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution within the context of the QuickTime process. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered remotely through web-based content or email attachments, making it a prime target for exploit development.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for Mac OS X users who may encounter malicious JPEG2000 images in various contexts including web browsing, email attachments, or downloaded media files. The ability to cause denial of service through application crashes represents a direct availability threat, while the remote code execution capability provides attackers with full system compromise potential. Organizations running Mac OS X systems without proper patch management protocols face elevated risk of exploitation, particularly in environments where users frequently access untrusted web content or receive email from external sources. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require local system access to carry out successful attacks, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework where it maps to multiple techniques including T1203 for exploitation of remote services and T1059 for command execution. The vulnerability also aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of Apple's security patches for Mac OS X 10.6.7 and subsequent versions, along with network-based filtering of suspicious JPEG2000 content. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures and consider deploying network security solutions that can detect and block malicious multimedia content. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of opening untrusted multimedia files remains critical in reducing the attack surface for this and similar vulnerabilities.