CVE-2011-3223 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in QuickTime in Apple Mac OS X before 10.7.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted FLIC movie file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3223 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Apple's QuickTime multimedia framework affecting Mac OS X versions prior to 10.7.2. This security issue resides in the FLIC movie file format handling component of QuickTime, which is a widely used multimedia playback system integrated into Apple's operating environment. The flaw manifests when the QuickTime player processes specially crafted FLIC files, which are legacy animation formats that were commonly used in early computer graphics and gaming applications. The vulnerability specifically targets the memory management routines responsible for parsing FLIC file headers and frame data, creating a condition where insufficient bounds checking allows malicious data to overwrite adjacent memory regions.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs during the parsing of FLIC movie file structures where the application fails to properly validate the size parameters contained within the file headers. When a malicious FLIC file is processed, the QuickTime component attempts to allocate memory buffers based on values specified in the file's metadata without adequate verification of these values against the actual available buffer space. This allows an attacker to craft a file where the specified data size exceeds the allocated buffer capacity, resulting in memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite critical program variables, return addresses, or function pointers. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the inherent trust placed in multimedia file processing, making it particularly dangerous as users may inadvertently trigger the exploit through normal media playback activities.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3223 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass full remote code execution capabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code within the context of the QuickTime process, potentially gaining elevated privileges on the affected system. The exploitation typically results in application crashes that can be used for denial of service attacks, but more sophisticated exploitation techniques can manipulate the program flow to redirect execution to attacker-controlled code. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where users may encounter malicious FLIC files through email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites. The attack surface is broad as QuickTime was widely distributed and integrated into many applications and services, making it a prime target for exploit development.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate system updates to Apple's security patches and operating system upgrades to Mac OS X 10.7.2 or later versions where the buffer overflow has been addressed. System administrators should disable QuickTime playback functionality for untrusted content and implement strict file type filtering mechanisms to prevent automatic execution of potentially malicious multimedia files. Network-level defenses can include content filtering solutions that scan for known malicious FLIC file patterns and implement sandboxing techniques to isolate QuickTime processes from critical system resources. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening untrusted multimedia files and the importance of keeping their operating systems updated. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a typical example of attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation often involves manipulating program execution flow through memory corruption. The remediation process should include comprehensive vulnerability scanning to identify systems running vulnerable QuickTime versions and implementation of automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates.