CVE-2011-0209 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in QuickTime in Apple Mac OS X before 10.6.8 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted RIFF WAV file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0209 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within Apple's QuickTime media framework affecting Mac OS X versions prior to 10.6.8. This issue resides in the handling of RIFF WAV file formats, which are commonly used for audio data storage and playback. The vulnerability demonstrates the classic pattern of improper input validation where the application fails to properly check integer values during the parsing process, creating a condition where arithmetic operations can exceed the maximum representable value for the data type being used.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a maliciously crafted RIFF WAV file is processed by QuickTime, triggering an integer overflow condition that can be leveraged to manipulate memory layout and control program execution flow. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-190 category of Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is a well-documented weakness in software security. The overflow condition typically manifests when the application attempts to allocate memory or process data structures based on values that have been corrupted through integer arithmetic overflow, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious code or cause unexpected program behavior.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to users of affected systems as it enables remote code execution capabilities without requiring local privileges. Attackers can deliver malicious WAV files through various vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites, making the attack surface quite broad. The potential impact ranges from complete system compromise to denial of service conditions that can render applications unusable. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 by enabling adversaries to execute code remotely, and T1059 through the use of system processes to carry out malicious activities.
The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the widespread use of QuickTime for media playback across Mac systems, making it an attractive target for threat actors seeking to compromise user systems. The integer overflow creates a predictable pattern that can be reliably exploited across different system configurations, particularly when the application processes audio files that contain malformed headers or data structures. This flaw demonstrates the importance of robust input validation and proper boundary checking in multimedia processing libraries, as the vulnerability exists in the core parsing logic rather than in more complex security mechanisms. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems and consider implementing network-based protections to block known malicious WAV file patterns while monitoring for suspicious file handling activities.
Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability represents a typical example of how multimedia processing libraries can become attack vectors due to insufficient validation of file format structures. The flaw underscores the necessity of thorough testing for integer overflow conditions in applications that handle user-supplied data, particularly in environments where media processing is common. Mitigation strategies include not only applying the official Apple security patches but also implementing application whitelisting policies and restricting user access to potentially malicious file types. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping multimedia frameworks updated and maintaining robust security practices in operating system components that handle external data input.