CVE-2011-2820 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-2011-2820 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 exists in the manner in which iTunes processes web content and handles user interactions within the iTunes Store environment, creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors positioned between the user and the iTunes Store servers. The flaw manifests during the browsing process when iTunes attempts to render and process web-based content from the iTunes Store, making it particularly dangerous as users regularly engage with this functionality while purchasing or browsing media content.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory management and input validation within the WebKit engine's implementation in iTunes. Attackers can exploit this weakness through man-in-the-middle positioning to inject malicious content that triggers memory corruption issues when iTunes attempts to process the malformed data. The vulnerability allows for arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions that can cause application crashes, effectively compromising the stability and security of the iTunes application. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which describes "Out-of-bounds Read" conditions, and CWE-787, which covers "Out-of-bounds Write" scenarios, both of which are common in memory corruption vulnerabilities affecting web rendering engines.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-2820 extends beyond simple application instability, as it creates opportunities for attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems through the iTunes application. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability could allow threat actors to execute malicious code on target systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The man-in-the-middle attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires minimal user interaction beyond normal iTunes usage, making it difficult to detect and prevent. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, "Exploit Public-Facing Application," which describes how attackers use vulnerabilities in publicly accessible applications to gain initial access to target systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of iTunes to version 10.5 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes to address the memory corruption issues. Users should also implement network monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate man-in-the-middle attacks, particularly when accessing iTunes Store functionality. Network administrators should consider implementing secure communication protocols such as HTTPS with proper certificate validation to prevent attackers from intercepting and modifying iTunes Store traffic. Additionally, organizations should establish regular software update policies to ensure all iTunes installations remain current with security patches, as this vulnerability represents a classic example of how outdated software components can create persistent security risks in enterprise environments. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date web rendering engines and proper input validation mechanisms in applications that process external web content.