CVE-2011-2811 in iTunes
Summary
by MITRE
WebKit, as used in Apple iTunes before 10.5, 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-2011-10-11-1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2811 represents a critical security flaw in Apple iTunes versions prior to 10.5, specifically within the WebKit rendering engine component that handles iTunes Store browsing functionality. This vulnerability exposes users to significant risks including arbitrary code execution and denial of service conditions that can lead to application crashes and system instability. The flaw manifests during the processing of web content within the iTunes Store browsing context, making it particularly dangerous as users engage with legitimate commercial content.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of web content within the WebKit engine's memory management systems. When users navigate through the iTunes Store interface, the application processes various web elements that are subsequently parsed and rendered by the WebKit component. The flaw occurs in the memory corruption handling mechanisms, where maliciously crafted web content can trigger buffer overflows or memory manipulation attacks that allow adversaries to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the iTunes process. This memory corruption vulnerability falls under the category of software fault that enables privilege escalation and remote code execution capabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-2811 extends beyond simple application instability to encompass serious security implications for end users and enterprise environments. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can perform man-in-the-middle attacks by intercepting and modifying web traffic between iTunes and Apple's servers, potentially redirecting users to malicious websites or injecting harmful content that exploits the memory corruption flaw. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also organizations that deploy iTunes for software distribution or media management, creating potential attack vectors for broader security breaches. This weakness directly relates to the CWE-125 vulnerability class, which encompasses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of iTunes to version 10.5 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes and memory management improvements. System administrators should implement network monitoring to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while users should avoid browsing the iTunes Store with outdated versions of the application. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of keeping software components updated, particularly those that handle web content rendering and network communication. Organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict the execution of unpatched iTunes versions and ensure that security updates are deployed promptly across all endpoints. This vulnerability also highlights the need for proper input validation and memory safety practices in web browser engines, aligning with the ATT&CK framework's mitigation recommendations for preventing memory corruption attacks and maintaining application integrity through regular security updates and patch management processes.