CVE-2011-2813 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.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2813 represents a critical security flaw in Apple iTunes version 10.4 and earlier, specifically within the WebKit rendering engine component that handles iTunes Store browsing functionality. This vulnerability falls under the category of man-in-the-middle attacks, where malicious actors can exploit the weak security controls in the iTunes Store browsing mechanism to gain unauthorized access to the underlying system. The flaw is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise, or alternatively cause denial of service conditions through memory corruption that results in application crashes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of web content within the WebKit engine when processing iTunes Store requests. When users navigate the iTunes Store within the iTunes application, the WebKit component processes various web elements including HTML, JavaScript, and other dynamic content. The flaw occurs during the parsing and execution of these elements, where insufficient validation and sanitization of incoming data allows attackers to craft malicious web content that, when processed by the vulnerable iTunes version, triggers memory corruption. This memory corruption can manifest as buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other heap corruption vulnerabilities that are commonly exploited in the exploitation of browser-based vulnerabilities.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to users who regularly access the iTunes Store for purchasing media content or downloading applications. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it requires minimal user interaction beyond normal iTunes usage, making it difficult to detect and prevent. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by positioning themselves between the user and Apple's iTunes Store servers, intercepting network traffic and injecting malicious payloads that exploit the WebKit memory corruption flaw. The potential for arbitrary code execution means that compromised systems could be turned into command and control nodes for further attacks, while the denial of service component can disrupt legitimate user access to the iTunes Store service, creating a persistent availability issue for Apple's digital distribution platform.
The vulnerability aligns with several common attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to privilege escalation and execution through web-based attacks. It also corresponds to CWE-119, which addresses weakness in memory management, and CWE-94, which covers improper control of generation of code. Organizations and users should immediately update to iTunes version 10.5 or later, which includes patches addressing the memory corruption issues in the WebKit engine. System administrators should implement network monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate man-in-the-middle attacks, while also ensuring that all Apple software updates are deployed promptly to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of keeping web browser components and their underlying rendering engines up to date, as these components are frequent targets for attackers seeking to exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities in complex software applications.