CVE-2011-0224 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
CoreMedia in Apple Mac OS X through 10.6.8 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted QuickTime movie file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0224 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Apple Mac OS X versions through 10.6.8 that affects the CoreMedia framework's handling of QuickTime movie files. This vulnerability resides in the multimedia processing components that are responsible for parsing and rendering various media formats, specifically targeting the QuickTime playback functionality that is deeply integrated into the operating system's media architecture. The flaw manifests when the system processes a maliciously crafted QuickTime movie file that contains malformed data structures or unexpected parameter values that trigger buffer overflows or other memory management errors within the CoreMedia framework.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits weaknesses in input validation and memory handling mechanisms within the QuickTime movie file parser. When a user opens or previews a specially crafted QuickTime file, the CoreMedia framework attempts to parse the file structure and allocate memory for various media components such as video frames, audio samples, or metadata. The malicious file contains structures that cause the parser to allocate insufficient memory or write beyond allocated buffer boundaries, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause system crashes. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of "Stack-based Buffer Overflow" and potentially CWE-787 "Out-of-bounds Write" as it involves improper memory management during file processing operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-0224 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full system compromise capabilities that align with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter. Attackers can remotely deliver malicious QuickTime files through various vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites, potentially leading to complete system control without user interaction in many cases. The vulnerability affects the core operating system components that are essential for multimedia functionality, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited in various contexts where QuickTime playback is expected, including email clients, web browsers, and media preview applications. This vulnerability has significant implications for enterprise environments where users may unknowingly open malicious files, potentially leading to widespread system compromise across multiple endpoints.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0224 should focus on immediate patch deployment as provided by Apple through their security updates, which address the underlying memory corruption issues in the CoreMedia framework. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies that prevent automatic execution of media files from untrusted sources, particularly disabling automatic QuickTime playback in web browsers and email clients. Network-based mitigations can include content filtering systems that scan and block suspicious QuickTime files, while endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor for unusual memory allocation patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening media files from unknown sources, and system administrators should consider disabling QuickTime support entirely on systems where it is not required for business operations, as this represents a fundamental approach to reducing attack surface area. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date operating system patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against both known and emerging threats in multimedia processing components.