CVE-2011-3220 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
QuickTime in Apple Mac OS X before 10.7.2 does not properly process URL data handlers in movie files, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information from uninitialized memory locations via a crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3220 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Apple's QuickTime media framework affecting Mac OS X versions prior to 10.7.2. This issue stems from improper handling of URL data handlers embedded within movie files, creating a pathway for remote attackers to extract sensitive data from uninitialized memory regions. The flaw exists in the way QuickTime processes media files that contain specially crafted URL data handlers, which can trigger memory access patterns that reveal previously allocated but unitialized data from system memory.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability maps to CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure Through Output Validation" and CWE-125, "Out-of-bounds Read," indicating that the flaw involves reading data from memory locations that have not been properly initialized. The vulnerability occurs when QuickTime attempts to parse URL data handlers within movie files without adequate validation of the data structure, allowing attackers to craft malicious media files that trigger memory access patterns revealing sensitive information. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007, "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript,' as it involves the manipulation of media processing components that can be leveraged for information gathering.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the extracted uninitialized memory data may contain sensitive information such as cryptographic keys, user credentials, system configuration details, or other confidential data that could be exploited by attackers. Attackers can remotely deliver malicious movie files through various vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently access untrusted content. The vulnerability affects the core media processing functionality of Mac OS X systems, potentially compromising the security of applications that rely on QuickTime for media handling.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3220 primarily involve applying the official security patches released by Apple, specifically updating to Mac OS X 10.7.2 or later versions that contain the necessary fixes for the URL data handler processing. System administrators should implement strict content filtering measures to prevent the execution of untrusted media files, particularly those from unknown sources. Network-level protections including web proxies and content filtering solutions can help block potentially malicious media files before they reach end-user systems. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening media files from untrusted sources and should maintain current security software to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on memory access patterns and unusual network activity related to media processing functions.